pointless

Joe Marler has revealed that he put on a stone during filming for Celebrity Traitors after overindulging in the extravagant breakfasts that are on offer for players

Joe Marler has revealed that he put on a stone during filming for Celebrity Traitors. The rugby star, 36, was one of several famous faces to enter the famous castle last year before comedian Alan Carr walked off with the top prize.

The show is famed for its extravagant breakfasts, which players enjoy as they discuss the game, and now Joe has recalled just how much he indulged during production of their show.

Speaking to Richard Osman and Marina Hyde at their live version of The Rest is Entertainment podcast, he explained: “So you get flown up there and then you get shoved in the Marriott Hotel in Inverness Airport. It was gorgeous!

“I was in the room, you put a card under the door, your food gets brought to you, you can have as much as you like. “There’s no interaction with anyone, any other contestants and then you’re taken to the castle.

“For the first bit of enjoying yourself, just watch what you’re eating, to go in there and put on eight kilos. Some people engage in a second breakfast, some people it would be their first breakfast. Some people it might be a third breakfast.”

During his time on the programme, Joe, a Faithful, reached the final and correctly sussed that Alan, along with Cat Burns, were Traitors. But in a shock move, he was banished in the final at the last minute, meaning that Alan could walk away from the show victorious.

Viewers are just days away from the new series of Celebrity Traitors, which will launch on October 1 and feature will feature a stellar line-up of names including Coronation Street legend Julie Hesmondhalgh, Little Mix star Leigh Anne Pinnock and singer James Blunt.

Maya Jama, best known for fronting Love Island, as well as best friends and comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan will be seen taking part as well, amongst a host of others.

Before the official release date was confirmed, Joe appeared alongside Pointless star Richard at an event and it seemed as if the pair had accidentally revealed the launch date, although this turned out not to be the case.

It’s reported that he asked Joe if he had any advice for the upcoming group of contestants, and he said: “What is it, September 23, the next series?”

Then, Richard replied: “By the way, to point out, it’s absolutely embargoed that it starts on September 23. Let’s talk about what we call the events of September 23 this year … the cat’s out of the bag, isn’t it? Not to repeat it.” A BBC spokesperson declined to comment.

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There is a huge change to how people can travel between the UK and Ireland

Travel expert Simon Calder has branded the new changes to travel between the UK and Ireland as “completely pointless”. Anyone travelling between the UK and Ireland by ferry will be required to show a passport before boarding.

The new rules come into force later this month and mark a major change in the ease of travel. Currently, those sailing to and from the Irish ports of Dublin and Rosslare can use photo IDs rather than passports. This can even include a bus pass.

Yet, from September 28, passports will be required. Simon shared his thoughts on the change during his Telegraph Travel Expert podcast.

He said: “We want more security, but if you’ve got a huge, long international frontier between the UK and Ireland which is completely open, and has to remain so without any checks because of the Good Friday Agreement, then putting these rules in place across the Irish Sea is completely pointless.”

While many people do have passports, Simon explained that the change can be a problem for many passengers.

He said: “There is a significant contingent of people, perhaps older travellers, who simply think ‘why do I need a passport, the only international journey I make is going back to Dublin to see family or going on the odd holiday to Kerry’.

“At the other end of the age spectrum, many people want to take their brand new child across the Irish Sea. Bring the baby, newborn across, and they are able to do that without a passport.

“It is going to be very significant in almost making life very difficult for the sorts of people who have got used to seamless travel.”

If people are not aware of the rules or do not have a passport with them from September 28, Simon said: “They won’t be getting on the ship I fear.”

The travel expert recommended other options for travellers to be able to cross between the UK and Ireland without a passport.

He said British Airways do not plan to require passports, and that you can sail from Scotland or Wales to Northern Ireland and cross by land without a passport.

New passport rules

Irish Ferries said: “From 28 September 2026, all passengers travelling on Irish Ferries services between the Republic of Ireland and Britain must present a valid passport or Irish passport card before boarding. The new passport requirement applies to Irish Ferries’ Dublin–Holyhead and Rosslare–Pembroke routes, in both directions.

“This requirement applies to all passengers, including Irish and UK citizens. From 28 September 2026, driving licences, national identity cards and other forms of photographic identification will no longer be accepted for travel on these routes.

“Irish Ferries is introducing this requirement to comply with UK Border Force requirements on the accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding.”

Stena Line added: “From Monday 28 September 2026, passengers travelling between Holyhead and Dublin or Fishguard and Rosslare will now need to show their passport on departure.

“There is no change to the ID requirements for business or leisure passengers travelling with Stena Line from Belfast, Liverpool, Cairnryan or Heysham.”