Celebrity Traitors: Paul Gorton Accuses Joe Marler of Breaking Show Rules Before Finale

Former Traitors contestant Paul Gorton has accused rugby star Joe Marler of breaking the rules ahead of the explosive Celebrity Traitors finale, which aired on November 6.

Millions tuned in on Wednesday night to watch the gripping conclusion of the hit BBC reality show, where comedian Alan Carr, who had been a Traitor since the very beginning, triumphed over his rivals to claim victory. Carr made it to the final three alongside the two remaining Faithfuls — Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga — after a tense final round table (BBC).

Joe Marler’s Alleged “Rule Break”

Former England rugby player Joe Marler found himself at the centre of controversy after being accused of “metagaming” — using information not shown on camera to influence the game.

Writing in his Mirror column, former Traitors season two contestant Paul Gorton claimed that Marler’s strategic approach broke one of the show’s core principles. “In series one, Kieran gave the Faithfuls a ‘parting gift’ and outed Wilf as a Traitor – that’s firmly against the rules,” Gorton explained. “You can only use evidence that has been built on camera to be put against someone. So you can’t use travel arrangements, sleeping arrangements, any of that stuff. You can only use what is in front of you on camera that the public can see” (The Mirror).

Gorton added that Marler’s so-called “Big Dog theory” — where he speculated about who the producers might have chosen as Traitors — was also questionable. “You’re not really supposed to play producer,” Gorton said. “You’re supposed to use the information that’s around you. But I don’t think you can stop that with this game because people are so desperate they’ll start venturing outside of the game to gain favour.”

According to Radio Times, the show’s producers have long emphasized that contestants must base their suspicions solely on interactions and events captured during filming. The use of “meta” reasoning or off-camera insights undermines the psychological purity that defines The Traitors format.

Gorton also noted that Stephen Fry, another celebrity participant, attempted a similar tactic with Cat Burns, saying, “It’s not really within the rules to do that.”

Alan Carr’s Emotional Win

The finale delivered one of the show’s most emotional moments as Alan Carr broke down in tears after his victory was confirmed. He was comforted by fellow finalists Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga moments after his win. Fellow Traitor Cat Burns was banished in the final round table before the Faithfuls voted to end the game (The Guardian).

Meanwhile, Joe Marler was voted out first during the final decision round when the remaining four debated whether to continue or end the game. His exit sparked immediate reactions online, with many fans expressing disappointment.

Fans React Online

Viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to share their thoughts on the finale. Many celebrated Carr’s cunning gameplay, describing him as a “master strategist.” One fan wrote, “Alan has played a blinder!” while another added, “Alan Carr is a legend. He played an amazing game — get in!”

However, others were gutted that Marler didn’t make it to the end. “Gutted for Joe, got stabbed in the back right at the end. Great finale though — well done Alan,” one viewer commented. Another insisted: “It should’ve been Joe.”

A Record-Breaking Season

Celebrity Traitors has become one of the BBC’s most talked-about reality series of 2025, with the finale reportedly drawing over 4 million live viewers, according to BBC News. The show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, has been praised for blending psychological tension, strategy, and star power in equal measure.

As for Paul Gorton’s critique, fans appear divided — some agree that metagaming risks breaking the immersive nature of the show, while others argue that such tactics are inevitable in a high-stakes social experiment.

Either way, with Alan Carr’s dramatic win and Joe Marler’s controversial exit, The Celebrity Traitors has once again proven why it remains one of the most unpredictable and addictive shows on British television.