The Traitors is in full swing and fans are desperate to learn everything about the show. One previous contestant, Theo Mayne, has let slip a surprising secret…
The Traitors is full of secrets, lies and intrigue, with show contestants battling to win a cash prize of up to £120,000.
Presented by Claudia Winkleman, the hit BBC1 programme sees teams of Faithfuls and Traitors going head-to-head and this year is the third series, with more than 10 millions viewers tuning in for the first episode. We’ve already seen Armani become the first Traitor to be caught by the Faithfuls, while latecomer Alexander memorably fell into a bush while playing a game of badminton.
Claudia and former contestants have let slip a few nuggets about the filming of the show too, including the fact the contestants are kept apart with “military precision” when they’re not on set. “It’s about a 30-minute drive from the castle but you’re blindfolded as you approach, so you can’t see the car in front or figure out exactly where you are,” said series one Faithful Maddy Smedley.
Theo Mayne, who starred in the first season of The Traitors, said there was a piece of technology contestants were allowed to use during their time in the Scottish Highlands. Filming takes place in the remote 19th century Ardross Castle, 30 miles north of Inverness.
“They take your phone away from you immediately,” said the former Faithful, who was banished in episode nine of his series. “You are given a handy little Nokia, so you can contact production if you need anything – I remember playing Snake on it.
“But as soon as you go to the castle, they take it away from you. We were completely immersed; there was no outside world. It was just Claudia Winkleman, Scottish Highlands and a castle. That’s all, that’s everything.”
The winner of the last series, Harry Clark, told how the show host tried to make the contestants feel welcome. “When I met Claudia, I was so nervous because she’s so powerful,” said Harry Clark. “I wanted to be a traitor so badly and I thought she’d take no notice of us but actually, she knew everything about everyone. She gets really involved and makes you feel really comfortable.”
The presenter, who also fronts BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing and Channel 4’s The Piano, calls the contestants her “children”. “They call me Auntie Claud or Mummy,” she told BBC News..
“On Strictly, I’m allowed to hang out with them,” added the star. “I can say: ‘That dance was brilliant’ or ‘Don’t worry about the scores’. And then on The Piano, I’m with them and I can hold their hand every step of the way to the final.
“On this, we’re all absolutely in it and I can’t make them feel better. I can’t go: ‘I’m going to put you out of your misery. I’m going to tell you who the Traitor is’. I find that very difficult, the fact that there has to be distance.”