Rugby ace Joe Marler is throwing his weight behind the Daily Star’s campaign to see Kevin Sinfield knighted. Selfless Kev ran seven ultra-marathons in seven days last year to help find a cure for motor neurone disease, raising a staggering £11million so far.
But despite his tireless efforts, he was snubbed in the New Year’s Honours. Now Celebrity Traitors star Marler has joined calls for the England coach to finally get the recognition he deserves.
“Kev’s an absolute hero,” he said. “I call him Sir Kev anyway, but it would be great to have it officially done. He’s raised so much money and he’s just one of those blokes you wish there were more of. Salt of the earth. Wonderful human.”
Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield(Image: PA)
The 35-year-old prop admits he is baffled by the delay. “I tried looking it up, why hasn’t he got it yet? I heard there’s some rule about timing, but whether that’s true or not, it seems a load of rubbish. The bloke deserves it.”
Marler reckons public backing could help push things over the line — and even joked royal eyes might be watching. “And I know the King is a big Daily Star reader,” he grinned. “He’s gonna listen.”
Fans have already rallied behind the campaign, with more than 94,000 signing a petition demanding a knighthood for Sinfield.
The money he has raised helped fund the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, named after his former teammate Rob Burrow, who died from the disease last year aged 41.
Joe Marler is backing ‘Sir Kev'(Image: Getty Images)
Stars including Luke Littler, Piers Morgan and Lindsay Hoyle have backed the campaign, while Prince William personally praised Sinfield’s “incredible” fundraising efforts.
Sources say the snub is down to honours rules, with Sinfield only eligible for a knighthood later this year after already receiving an MBE, OBE and CBE.
Marler added: “Honestly, he’s one of the best. A knighthood would just be putting a proper stamp on what everyone already know. He’s legendary.”
Away from rugby, Marler is dreaming of TV gold after starring in Celebrity Traitors. “Oh my goodness, I’m a massive fan of Would I Lie to You?. I would absolutely love to get on that,” he said.
Joe worked with Joe Baggs on the Pringles campaign(Image: KN/MI)
“Any show where you can spin a yarn or tell a fib without it affecting your life? That’s my kind of fun.” Despite becoming a breakout star, he insists he is not chasing more reality TV fame.
“When it comes to Strictly Come Dancing or I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, I love them, but I’d be terrible.”
Marler has also been fronting Pringles’ new ‘Social Snacking Experiment’ campaign across London.
He has been handing out tubes of crisps alongside content creator Joe Baggs, turning everyday moments into fun interactions.
The aim is simple – to spark laughter, conversation, and human connection, even in the smallest gestures. “Even the smallest gesture, like passing a tube of Pringles, can spark genuine connection.” Marler says.
“If I can make people laugh or help them connect in a small way, that’s a win for me. Whether on screen or just handing someone a snack, it’s all good fun.”
The Social Snacking Experiment forms part of Pringles’ wider new brand platform, Pass the Pringles, now rolling out across the UK and Europe. Built on the simple insight that people don’t just enjoy eating Pringles, they enjoy sharing them, the campaign celebrates the power of passing a tube to spark playful, feel-good connections and turn everyday encounters into meaningful shared moments.
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