TV Choice: Meet the players joining Claudia Winkleman in the Scottish Highlands for The Traitors (series four)

Adam

Age: 34

Occupation: Builder

Location: Essex

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

Because I love a contest. I love the idea of outthinking people, and I want to win. That’s it, simple. I’ll play whatever hand I need to play, and that’s it.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you will bring to the game.

I’m a very outspoken, dramatic sort of person. I speak my mind fully, with no filter. Obviously, I do think of people’s feelings before I speak! I always want to win, and I like to give myself a challenge. When I saw this advertised, my missus and I had watched the first couple of series, and I thought, ‘I can do that standing on my head’.

You’ve got to look at it as a game and not take it too seriously. I’m an enthusiastic ghost hunter as well, so I’d love to get into that castle and see if it’s haunted.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

Yes, on both sides, whether I’m a Faithful or a Traitor. I’ve thought about it a lot. I’ve got the sort of brain that thinks of something 100 times before anyone else has. It’s just the way I am. I love to plan and have the answer in my head before anyone asks. Much will depend on the personalities in place. You have to act a certain way around certain people; not everyone will come from the same background as me. You have to sort of blend in and adapt to the situation that you’re dealt.

If I’m a Faithful, I won’t lie about anything. Everyone will know my name and what I do for a living. The only thing I’d have to lie about is if I’m a Traitor. I don’t understand why people add more pressure to be anything other than themselves. When I answer something, I want it to trip off my tongue, not to hesitate.

Q: Do you have a good poker face?

You won’t be able to tell if I’m lying. I’ve studied body language. I understand how people stand, what they do with their hands, their tics, their eye movements, even the way their ears move!

Q: Would you say that you’re good at spotting a liar?

I grew up in the early 2000s, and my childhood was spent on the street, playing with my friends, going to the park, and meeting many people. I used to be able to read them before they even spoke to me, so I knew what sort of person they were. I’d say I’m a good judge of character.

Q: What would you prefer to be – a Traitor or a Faithful?

I think everyone wants to play the part of a Traitor. I would like to be a Traitor, but if I am a Faithful, I will identify who a Traitor is, befriend them, and, if they have to recruit, I can switch to the Traitors’ side.

Are you competitive when you’re playing games with friends and family?

I have to win. My boy beat me on FIFA the other day, and I was not happy!

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions?

I think so; it depends on the Missions. I approach things differently; I’m always looking for options and ways to make something work. I love fixing stuff; I’m very practical. Give me something broken, and I’ll get it going. I will be a team player and help throughout the missions, as it’s all about contributing to the prize money.

Q: What would you do with the prize money?

I’d take all my family to Florida. I’m doing it for my wife and my three kids. Enough money to have a holiday of a lifetime, and then I’d put the rest in the bank so we could live comfortably.

Amanda

Age: 57

Occupation: Retired Police Detective

Location: Brighton

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

As soon as I started watching the series, I thought, ‘This is really interesting’. I love Claudia anyway, and then I became very drawn into the game and, perhaps naively, I thought, ‘This is something I can win!’ I thought that because there are two definitive sides to the game: Traitor and Faithful. I was a detective, and I’ve conducted many interviews with criminals and victims. You have to put the pieces together to find the truth and see through the lies.

To be a Traitor, you have to be good at lying, have a good poker face and be a master of deflection to prevent you from being identified. I’ve learned a lot about being deceptive, devious and cunning. On the other hand, I am a good person, and I became a police officer to help people. You have to be nice and calm, even when there’s a big storm around you. I’d bring these skills to any role I am assigned.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I think in this game, there are so many on-the-hoof, dynamic situations that require you to make very quick decisions, and my approach is to almost not have a game plan. I’ll be myself, try not to stick out, but equally not be too quiet, and I really want to have fun. At the start, it can just be mayhem. People are literally clutching at anything; did you see what he did? He didn’t blink when everyone else did. The start is about survival, and so my game plan is to just survive.

Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the game?

I’m not very good at describing myself, but friends have said things like, “If there’s anyone I’d want on a desert island with, it’s you”, which I think is really lovely. I’m good fun, and I’m good at holding my nerve as well. I’ve been in some really tricky situations in my time, and I have a strong sense of perspective. You’ve got to remember, it’s a game.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I have the luxury of staying fit and healthy, so I look forward to participating in the physical ones. With mental challenges, I’m a little worried because I think my sharpness has gone a little bit. I was a Detective Chief Inspector before I retired, and I had to do lots of things very quickly, be decisive and precise, but I’m very relaxed now.

Q: How would you feel about being a Traitor?

That would be amazing. I would be nervous, definitely nervous. I’ve thought about how Iwould steady my nerves when the mask comes off. I think I’ll be able to hold my nerve.

Q: And being a Faithful?

Well, I initially thought that would be easy because I was a police officer. My job was to help people. Be a faithful, good person, so it would feel natural to be faithful in the game. I thought it would be easy, given the type of character I am; however, I think it’s hard. There is an advantage to being a Traitor at the beginning because you know a few more sides to the puzzle.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

My brother passed away in 2011 from a disease called pulmonary hypertension. So, I would like to donate a percentage to that charity. I have a large family, and we’ve been through a lot. Since my dad passed away a couple of years ago, my mum’s on her own, and I live so far away. My sisters are amazing, caring for her and always being there. So I’d love to take them all on holiday, somewhere really, really nice.

Ben

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired

Location: Hampshire

Q: Why did you apply to take part in The Traitors?

I’d never seen anything like this before – it intrigued me. I was completely taken in and kept saying it was like Columbo and Agatha Christie looking for Judas Iscariot.

Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the show?

I’ll bring my charisma, my charm, my personality. I think I’ll have the skill, the determination, the knowledge of the game, and the will to win.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I don’t think I’m going to go in with a game plan. What I have got is the skill set from my time in the forces. And I can read people very well.

Q: How do you think you’ll find the Missions?

I think they’ll be challenging. I’m 66, but on the inside I’m 22! I’ll be playing like a 22-year-old, but my body will not be, and I think that will be challenging, especially with the physical Missions.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

I’d love to be a Traitor. The Traitor has everything. They know who the other Traitors are; they know who all the Faithfuls are. If you’re a Faithful, you only know who you are; you don’t know who anybody else is, so you’re at a disadvantage right away. I would love to be a Traitor because you’re in control.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what would your game plan be?

Definitely trying to bring as many people together as possible. Knowledge is important.

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, but wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.

Q: Would you say you’re good at spotting a liar?

I think I’m good. When they’re telling a story, they always look up to the left or right and cover their mouth. My wife laughs at that, but watch anyone telling a lie, and they’ll suddenly look to the left or right, or cover their mouth. And I’m not saying that’s the same for everybody, but that’s the way I would look at it.

Q: How far would you be prepared to go to win?

I would quite happily step on anyone’s toes. Not a problem, I can be ruthless.

What would you do with the prize money?

I’d like to learn how to fly, and I would love to take my wife on the honeymoon that she never had. When we got married, I was posted to Saudi Arabia, so she organised the wedding. I flew back to the UK, got married, and then flew back out. I would love to give her that dream honeymoon. And then I’d obviously treat the family.

Ellie

Age: 33

Occupation: Psychologist

Location: London

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I think it is so psychologically interesting. I’ve watched it, and I love analysing what everyone’s doing and thinking through why they’re convinced that they know something, when to the viewer, they’re quite clearly wrong. I had to get involved, understand it, and get in there and play the game.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the show?

I believe I might be the first psychologist on the show, so I’m hoping to bring a psychological perspective. I’m going to analyse what other contestants are doing and think through their motivations for behaving as they do.

Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the game?

I hope to use my psychological techniques to play the game as well as possible, whether I’m a Traitor or a Faithful, whether that means building relationships with people or deceiving and concealing how I really feel.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I’m hoping to be a Traitor, but I think it’s absolutely about trying to form bonds with people early on, because we know that voting around the Round Table isn’t just about who’s suspicious, it’s also about the bonds that you’ve made with people. So that’s the plan: to try to befriend everyone and see how that goes. I will also hide my occupation, as I don’t want people to make assumptions about me.

Q: Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?

I would hope so, because when I’m working with people, it’s important not to reveal how I feel about what they’re saying at certain times.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I’m not going to be the best at the physical Missions. I don’t have a great sense of balance, and I can definitely see myself falling over in the mud, but I’m hoping it will be a chance to bond with other players, and maybe I can be part of the crew that hangs back a little and gives directions. I’m probably not going to be the leading star in that way.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

Really excited because I think that is the most interesting role to play. You’re trying to mislead people and to understand their motivations, but you also have access to much more information, so you can see how things are playing out.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

Well, I’m definitely prepared to throw anyone under the bus to maintain my facade.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, how might you play the game?

As a Faithful, I’d apply psychological techniques to study the other players, identifying who might be a Traitor and who might be a Faithful. I’d look for tells that someone is lying and assess baseline behaviour to see how it compares over time. Are people consistent? What are they telling me with their body language? Their microexpressions, and the way that they’re describing things? There’s a lot of information that people give you that they don’t realise. I’ll be using all of that to try and guess who the Traitors are.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

It’s going straight towards buying a flat. I live in London but can’t afford to buy a flat, so that’s what I’ll be doing!

Faraaz

Age: 22

Occupation: Internal Auditor

Location: Middlesbrough

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I applied to be on The Traitors because I’m a huge fan of the show. I’ve been watching it since series one, and I thought it would be something I’d really love to take part in and immerse myself in.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the game.

You can see how it’s possible to become deeply invested and express emotions. However, I think I can detach from my emotions quite easily, and therefore I’ll be able play with my head over my heart. As a fan, I wanted to have this experience and see what it’s like. I’m approachable and bubbly, so I look forward to meeting new people.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I’ve had a chat with my sister about what game plan I should have, and I think, once it starts, it’ll be all up in the air, really! One thing is, it’s important not to be too boisterous at the start, because you can’t win at the start. You can only lose. I think you should keep some opinions and cards close to your chest at the beginning, then observe others whilst sharing small insights, without making yourself the centre of attention straight away.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

Yes, I think the Missions are something I’ll excel at. I’m a fairly fit young lad, so I think I’ll be alright. One potential challenge is that if there’s any height involved, my legs can get a bit wobbly. Apart from that, I’m excited for them.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

I think, to be honest, that would be my preference. It gives you some control in the game; you can dictate certain narratives alongside the other Traitors. I would be really happy if I were a Traitor, and I’d really take that in my stride.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

Oh, I’ll be throwing people under the bus if I need to! Really, it’s in a Traitor’s best interests to stick with their fellow Traitors as long as possible. Once you start betraying each other, trust erodes, and risks are taken for unnecessary reasons. So, unity at the start, then throw someone under the bus at the last minute to get to the next stage! It’s the game at the end of the day; the game’s the game.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?

To be honest, I think I’d probably have the same approach whether a Traitor or a Faithful. Either way, I’d try to keep a couple of cards close to my chest. Especially at the start, when you don’t really have much to go off. Being too loud could put you in the firing line straight away. As a Faithful, you do need to be seen as someone that people can confide in, trustworthy and someone to whom people can share their problems.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

I don’t know. It’s difficult when you don’t know someone. With your mates, you know when they’re chatting rubbish.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

If I win the prize money, I’d like to use it to support my family and make a religious pilgrimage. Going to Umrah or Hajj would be very nice. For me to do that for my family would be great. If there’s a bit left over, I wouldn’t mind putting a little away for a new car, but treating my family is my main goal.

Fiona

Age: 62

Occupation: Local Government Officer

Location: Swansea

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I’ve never applied for anything like this before, but I really enjoy the show. I think it’s the most authentic reality TV show, and I’m not a big fan of reality TV. I think it’s a game that requires a lot of tact and psychological manoeuvres, and that’s why it appealed to me.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the show?

I’m a chatty person by nature. My job involves earning people’s trust so they can move forward with their lives. I’m a trustworthy person, and people naturally warm to that. I think I’m a good judge of character, though that remains to be seen over the next few weeks!

I think I’ll bring a little bit of humour and a lot of integrity; whether that integrity is towards the Traitors or the Faithful remains to be seen. I’m a great team player. I was brought up in a house full of boys. I’ve only got brothers, so I think I became competitive then. We were and still are a family that enjoys all sorts of games, whether that’s cards or board games; we still get a lot of enjoyment out of them.

Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the game?

I think I can see through people’s strategies and tell whether they’re being truthful. I’m really setting myself up for failure here! But I’m also a warm person who enjoys chatting with people and getting to know them. I think that’s one of my strengths; I can bring out the best and the worst in people, too. I’m very much a ‘three strikes, and you’re out’ type of person, but I don’t come from a vindictive point of view. I’m really good at keeping things confidential. I hold a lot of information about many people, including family and friends.

Q: Do you have a game plan at all?

Yes, I do. I just want to get to know people, warts and all. I’m not afraid to confront or challenge people, but not in a bullying or harassing way. I wouldn’t dream of doing that to anybody. I would definitely be somebody who wouldn’t be afraid to speak their mind. However, if I were a Faithful, I’d be very wary of being as formidable and confrontational. I’d keep it in a bit.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I’m a true team player. I do like being with a group because I think it’s more interesting when there’s a team of you, and you can play to each other’s strengths. I will do my very best with anything, but I know I can’t run.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

I would be thrilled to be a Traitor, and the reason for that is quite straightforward. I’ve always taken control of my own destiny, my own decisions, whether I’ve changed jobs, homes, or cars.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

As far as I can, I want to retire in comfort. Although money isn’t a huge motivator for me, I’m happy to do whatever it takes to reach the end. It is a game.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan might be?

I won’t be so forthcoming with opinions unless I’m absolutely convinced. I don’t think I’d be as relaxed as I would be as a Traitor.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

I’m really good at spotting a liar, because it’s part of my job. You can look for body language, but sometimes people are very good at hiding it. Eye contact is really important, and I tend to use it a lot in my work to assess people. You’ve also got to be aware that in this process, people are naturally going to be nervous, so it may appear they’re fibbing just because they’re uncomfortable and twitchy, whereas actually they are truthful. It’s going to be a lot harder to spot a liar.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

I’m the most Faithful of Faithful people, and I think all my friends and family would say the same. I am Faithful by nature. I don’t like anything underhanded in my personal life. I really don’t like talking behind people’s backs, which is why I think being a Traitor would be so much more fun than anything else, as it’s completely out of my character.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

It will definitely go toward my pension. I would also like to give money to people who are caring for loved ones with dementia at home and don’t have the benefit of a large family.

Harriet

Age: 52

Occupation: Crime Writer and Former Barrister

Location: London

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I’ve watched the show and love it – it’s one of the very few TV shows that I think I have a skill set that could be useful for. I’m a crime writer and used to be a criminal barrister. I spend my life making up horrible ways for people to die and killing people on the page. The idea that I might get to actually plot to kill people or to track down a murderer, but, you know, without actual blood being shed, it’s the closest that I’d get to that experience in real life. So, quite honestly, what’s not to like?

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the show?

I am a crime writer, and I used to be a criminal barrister, so I’ve had a lot of practice in reading ‘who done it?’ and writing ‘why did they do it?’. I write books about people not being who they seem, and The Traitors is the quintessence of that. I might bring an ability to see patterns in people’s behaviour. I might be good at picking up inconsistencies in what people say because of my criminal barrister training. I mean, I’m really good at putting clues together, but I say all of this, and I could collapse into a puddle of angst, and it might be a complete disaster.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I think what I’m going to try and do is dial up the housewife, mother side of myself that’s quite lovable. I can bake cakes. I cook. I look after my family. I’ve got a lovely Golden Retriever and a lovely Labradoodle. All of these things are completely true. But there is also another side to me, so I think the juxtaposition of being nice and then hiding the more cutthroat part of me is the big strategy. I’m not going to be dishonest. I’m just going to play it down.

Q: What about the Missions? Do you think you’ll be good at them?

I hope so. It’ll be good to have the opportunity to work in a team. If I can keep calm, then I hope that I might be useful.

Q: If you are chosen to be a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

Absolutely delighted because it’s the closest I’ll ever get in real life to plotting murder, and the idea that I can live my job feels like it would be an incredible opportunity. Having said that, being a Faithful is also an opportunity to live my job, just in a different kind of way. So, I win either way, but I think that the truest form of the game is being a Traitor, because then you really do get to do the double play, and I think I would find that very exciting.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

If you’re in it, you’re in it to win it. There’s no point playing around. And it’s not as if I’m deceiving my closest friend. However real the relationships that will be created in this period of time, and however great the friendships might go on to be in future, I’m lying to the face of someone who would equally be prepared to lie to my face, because otherwise, why are they playing the game?

Q: Do you have a good poker face?

Well, I think so. But, you know, others close to me might disagree!

Q: If you’re Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?

It’ll be very much the same as being a Traitor. I’ll keep the smart ass under wraps and play up the nicer side. I would attempt to build trusting bonds with other players, while not trusting them any farther than I could throw them. I think if one genuinely has a suspicion, it’s perhaps smarter not to start jumping up and down and screaming about it immediately. I think trying to remain as observant as possible and build up a case, rather than going straight for the kill, would seem to me to be the sensible way of approaching it.

Q: Do you think you are good at spotting a liar?

I’ve had kids and worked in criminal justice, so I’ve had experience with clients who I’ve been absolutely certain are telling me slightly less than the truth! The thing that is very liberating about this game is that if you are going into it not believing anybody, then you’re not going to get caught out by someone seeming to be lovely.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it to the final?

Staying calm, level-headed, not leading the charge when it comes to accusing people, but also not letting people take you for a complete fool. I think it might be helpful if I’m underestimated – I’m a blonde 52-year-old woman. I think I would perhaps use that as my superpower. I think that being able to stay calm under pressure seems to me to be the thing that’s actually the most important key point for being a Faithful or a Traitor, assessing the situation, not jumping to accusation, but being ready to make accusations at the right moment, and trying to apply a level of forensic judgement and forensic timing.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

I would donate it to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, as many dear friends have been affected by the disease, including one of my best friends, who sadly died in 2021 from secondary breast cancer.

Hugo

Age: 51

Occupation: Barrister

Location: London (Born in Cardiff)

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I really love the show. I’m obsessed with The Traitors – I think I’ve seen every episode in the English language, UK, US, Australia and New Zealand. It’s such a fascinating game, and what really gets me is watching people around the Round Table and how wrong they get it. I’m a barrister, so I talk to juries, but they go off and make the decisions in a quiet room, so I never get to see it, but this, you just think, how could you be so wrong? I can’t take my eyes off it; I love it.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the show?

I’m hopeful to, at some stage, be a Traitor. I just think they’ve got all the information, all the power, and it must be such good fun to see everything, whereas the Faithful are kind of waiting around to be murdered. If someone’s going to come for you at the Round Table, you’ve also got the chance of arguing back or trying to distract them or deflect, whereas if you’re murdered, it’s just you and you’ve gone. So, I’d like to be a Traitor, but if I were a Faithful, I think I’ve got skills to find the Traitors.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

Well, that will depend on whether I get a tap on the shoulder and whether I’m a Traitor or not. Because it’s series four, I think everyone tries to hide in the middle of the pack, and everyone tries to keep a low profile. I thought Do people like lawyers? Should I perhaps pretend to be something else?’, but that’s been done, and I think everyone’s smart, we’ve all seen the show. So, I’m going to hide in plain sight. I’m going to be myself, and I’m going to be quite out there telling stories, telling jokes and singing. I suppose I’ll be one of the older ones at 51, so I’m going to be very positive and try to keep things upbeat and happy.

Q: Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?

I think so, I mean I’m a barrister, and I have to stand up in front of a jury and be a kind of big cuddly teddy bear, so you have to believe what you’re saying because people can pick up if you’re all fidgety. So yes, I hope so, because it’s important for my job.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I’m quite logical, and I love it when contestants think outside the box and don’t always accept the challenge’s parameters. I think there’s scope to challenge the premise you’ve been given and think a little differently. So, I think I’ll be good at that.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

I’d be absolutely delighted. I think you’ve got to go into instant ‘Well, I’m a Faithful!’ mode, and I do think they make mistakes. You have to think like a Faithful. I’d be thinking, ‘Who looks suspicious around here? Who’s not looking at Claudia this time? And who’s pretending to be a badger?’ They always overdo it, and they kind of blink when they come out.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

I’m very, very competitive. I think you’ve got to be charming and befriend people, and if I were a Traitor, I’d use all the positive skills of trying to befriend, and I’d use all the logical skills of, well, this person voted this way, this person did that. I wouldn’t go full forensic barrister on people because you have to remember that it’s a game, and to win the game is actually to have fun and to be fun.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?

If I’m a Faithful, I’ll try to take it to the next level of being logical because Faithfuls get it wrong when they just go with their guts.

Q: If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

The reality is, I don’t understand the winning strategy for a Faithful. I think you have to loudly name who you think is a Traitor, and in doing that, you’ve kind of got a double win. You’re either right, and you catch a Traitor, or you’re wrong, but the Traitors think, ‘well, he’s completely wrong, so we’re not going to murder him. The best one of all, if you can do it, is to name a Traitor that nobody else believes is a Traitor, like Jake named Linda for days on end, and the Faithful won’t banish you because you’re being helpful, and the Traitors won’t murder you because you found one of them.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

I think I’m really good. People have tells, and they give them away. Because we’re all basically good human beings, subconsciously, if you lie, you have an itch on your face sometimes, and you try to get rid of it because you’ve just lied. So, touching people’s faces is a classic; not looking them straight in the eye is another. In The Traitors, if confronted, a Faithful will say, ‘I’m a Faithful’, whereas the Traitors will say, ‘I’m a Faithful. I couldn’t be a Traitor’, and they kind of answer the wrong question. I think there’s a way to tell when people over-elaborate or get defensive, and I can spot the subconscious things and the way people use language.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

Whilst the game is enormous camp fun, my real motivation to win would be to support a human rights charity that’s very dear to my heart: Amnesty International. They do fantastic work, and if ever I get the chance to support them, I do. In fact, I am going to be running the London Marathon later this year for them!

Jack

Age: 29

Occupation: Personal Trainer

Location: Essex

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

First and foremost, I’m a massive fan of the show. I want something that will take me outside my comfort zone. Some of the Missions are physically demanding, but there are mental tests, too. You’ve got to be so switched on, regardless of whether you’re a Traitor or a Faithful, it just takes one slip-up, and you could be gone. You’ve got to be so locked in both physically and mentally.

Q: What do you think you will bring to the show?

I’m a real people person. I love being around people. I’ve planned so many tactics even before I knew I was going be on it. I’ve deep dived into everything because it fascinates me, like how there are so many common themes you see. Herd mentality, conformity, bias, all these things that pop up throughout the show, but you see it playing out in real time. I think they’ll all probably underestimate me. I’m going to play on the stereotype of being the PT from Essex. And I think everyone will have their preconceived ideas of what someone from Essex is like and what a personal trainer is about, which is fantastic, because if I live it up and ham it up a bit, no one will expect me to be the one with all the tactics.

Q: What is your game plan?

I have tactics for everything. Different plays with shields, different players around the roundtable, and things to avoid. I think the overarching theme is making people underestimate me and feel like they’ve worked me out, so that they don’t perceive me as a threat. I think in the Missions it’s in my nature to help people because of my job. I appreciate that sometimes altruistic behaviour can be mistaken for a hidden agenda among Traitors, but I think it’ll be quite in keeping with my personality to make it look like I’m going out of my way to be the team player.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions?

I’m going to throw myself into it headfirst. I want to feel like I’m outside of my comfort zone. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ll probably never get an opportunity like this again, and I want to just enjoy it and go for it.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how do you think you’d feel?

In my heart, it’s what I want to do, but equally, I would gracefully accept the role as a Faithful. As a Traitor, you’re at an advantage straight away, if you’re good at maintaining the persona, putting up a facade, lying – that’s the aim of the game. I genuinely think that I’d enjoy every moment of it. You’ve got to be multifaceted in the sense that you’re keeping up the persona, but you’re doing everything under the guise of being a Faithful, so you’re convincing people whilst lying to people, and then you’re scheming and orchestrating the plans, like the puppet master behind closed doors. It really appeals to me, being secretly in control, but no one else realises.

Q: Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?

I may come across as smiley, but I can switch it up if I need to.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

I already have a whole section in my tactics book called brutal tactics, which are ones I’ll only employ if I feel that things are slipping, but I’ve got these tactics that I know will work. I will steer certain players in the group and manipulate them into building a group of votes around a certain player, steering things in a certain way. A big tactic is I’d never want to directly instigate rumours. I want to steer the conversation without explicitly saying, “I think it’s him or her,” because that could backfire at the Round Table.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan might be?

I think a really key thing, particularly when you’re a Faithful, is that you want to keep the spotlight off you for as long as possible. In the studying I’ve done, the Faithfuls that were the most successful were super respectful of people’s opinions, very succinct in answers, because I think the more time the spotlight is on you, particularly around the Round Table, the more opportunity there is for you to crack under pressure or to slip up. I think if people accuse me, I’ll be respectful and just move on. If I’m a Faithful, I want to be successful in Missions and be an asset to the group, as people are more likely to want to keep me in, because ultimately, a lot of people are in it for the money.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

I’d like to think I’m pretty good at reading body language. I’m going to try to make sure that my body language looks confident and Faithful.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

I want to come across as someone who positively influences the group, whether by earning a lot of money on the Missions or by supporting others. But a big thing for getting far is not looking like I’m a threat, so I don’t get murdered early. I think gunning for shields is a good tactic. If you’re really desperate for a shield, it’s because you’re desperate to stay in the game. I think people will go out of their way to get a shield because they don’t want to be murdered by the Traitors.

Q: What would you do with the prize money?

First and foremost, I’d use it as a deposit for a property for my girlfriend and me. It would be life-changing for us.

I’d love it if we could get our first property somewhere I could have a purpose-built gym studio in the back of the garden, all kitted out, so I can do my training sessions there at our new home. That would just be the dream. I also have secret plans; I’m planning to propose to my partner, so it’d be nice to spend a bit of money on that, maybe taking her out somewhere nice to celebrate.

Jade

Age: 25

Occupation: PhD Student

Location: West Midlands

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I play a lot of video games that are similar to The Traitors, so I just thought, ‘Why would I not?’ I do it in my spare time anyway.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the game.

I’m a PhD student at a university researching women’s health and pregnancy. I also enjoy the gym and running. I’m quite an observant person, I’m good with people, and I pick up on things that a lot of people think I miss, but that might change if you ask me that at the end of the show.

I have strong problem-solving abilities that should help me navigate the game and its Missions. I think I can bring good teamwork to the table. I think I’ll get along with everyone, too.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I think I’ll play everything that I do down a bit. I’m going to say that I am a master’s student, rather than a PhD, because this is my whole life. I can’t go in there and make up a whole new background as that’s too much effort to keep up, so I will just play down what I do. I have a resting mean face sometimes, which can kind of look like I’m just staring people out, so I need to watch myself as I can be quite blunt and direct as well. My game plan is basically to go in there and try to be part of the crowd, but also be a bit of a shark amongst the little sheep.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I think I’ll be okay at the Missions. From what I’ve seen, the Missions are quite active a lot of the time, and I think I’ll be good at both the physical and mental challenges. Obviously, there’s a level of luck that comes into all of them. I’m not good with crawl spaces, so that’ll be interesting, but I think I’d have been good at the card game they had last season. I think I can keep quite a good poker face. That said, I’m not really going in there with many secrets, and I think people can sense when you’re uncomfortable, which is not where you want to be.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

Shocked! I think it will take me by surprise, but ultimately, I’ll just put on my big girl pants and get on with it. I hope I will have a strategy, but I think I would kind of wing it on the spot and deal with the consequences later.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

It’s a game, and I’m here to play the game. I signed up for the game, and I’m a gamer at heart. I think everyone there is hiding something to some degree, or trying to come off a certain way. You don’t really know who these people are, so I am going to go in and be sceptical of everyone.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?

It’s just trying to figure out who talks to whom, how they move around, and what happens after that. I think it can be quite illuminating, because the Traitors speak as well. They’re quite communicative at the beginning, before they decide to turn on each other.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

I think I’m good at spotting a liar. If I’m not 100% sure of something, I won’t hesitate to quiz someone on that either.

Q: If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

You just need to stand your ground and fight in your corner. If you look at the two people who won last season, they were quite strong as characters and didn’t back down from a fire either. You know that you are a Faithful, and if you can sit in your corner under fire, and stay there quite comfortably, then I think that’s all right, that’s enough.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

I would really like to buy a house. I’m 25, and PhD life doesn’t pay very well. I’d like to buy a house somewhere I can call home, as I have moved around a lot for studying, and so I’d like somewhere to finally call my own.

James

Age: 38

Occupation: Gardener

Location: Weymouth

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I am an anorak. I love the show, but I didn’t start watching The Traitors until the second series because people nagged me. I used to play a lot of poker, and it has similarities, especially the Round Table. I have a desire to play the game well. Not in an arrogant way, but in a confident way, I think I could do this. So, I’m here with a passion for the game and sort of geeky vibes. I think that’s what drew me to it. It’s like a beautiful lovechild of Midsomer Murders and poker.

Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the game?

I’ve played music live, and to reasonably big-time small crowds, so I’d say I’ll be good at working the crowd, maybe keeping the energy up. I have ADHD, and it’s blindingly obvious I do. I will bring this sort of vibe where it looks like I’m a bouncy Duracell bunny, like a happy-go-lucky class clown, maybe a jovial chap. I always say this, people think there’s a monkey bashing symbols in my head when they first meet me, but they underestimate at their peril, because there’s actually a huge hamster with a massive ear and an antenna up on its back at all times! I’m always analysing and processing.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I definitely want to be a Traitor. If I’m not, I would probably try to seduce the Traitors into seducing me! Do a bit of reverse seduction, like, look good at the Round Table – okay, he speaks eloquently, this guy could handle the pressure. I think I’d give off that impression. If I’m nervous myself, I can affect a happy-go-lucky demeanour.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I would try to be the best person at the Missions, especially if I’m a Faithful, because then I offer something to the Traitors and the group. I’d like to think I’d excel at the physical Missions. I’d bring loads of energy, enthusiasm, and determination, and it’d be a good release from the tension of the game too.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

I would absolutely adore being a Traitor. The show’s called The Traitors, not The Faithfuls! I will do anything in my power to become one if I’m not picked. My poker skills would come in handy. I’d like to think I’m a nice person, but it would be exhilarating to be a Traitor.

Q: Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?

Yes. It sounds arrogant, I know, but I was mildly successful playing poker. I was even nicknamed ‘The Librarian’ by a few people because I have this innate ability to read people like a book. I won’t be telling people that in the castle, but I will use that to my advantage. There’s stuff you pick up on playing cards that will help me, whether I’m Traitor or Faithful.

Q: If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

Get recruited as a Traitor. That’s my number one priority. Definitely. If that doesn’t materialise, I will play a bit dumb, not to the extent that I’m no use, but so I’m not deemed to be a threat. I’ll try and get friendly with a Traitor to be kept in the game, and then maybe out them at the right time or request recruitment. Give them an ultimatum. I call it reverse seduction.

I think being astute without giving away too much would be key. I think being good enough to accuse people early. Being strong in my convictions with who I go for and sticking with it. And trying not to jump on the bandwagon.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

I will spend it on my family. We haven’t been abroad for many years, so I’d love a family holiday. I’d buy a camper van or a motor home too. I’m the only driver in my house. I drive two teenage girls, my partner, and my son to their jobs and schools. We need another driver, and my stepdaughter is learning to drive. It would pay for her car too and give her some freedom.

Jessie

Age: 28

Occupation: Hairstylist

Location: Hull

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I applied to challenge myself, and I love meeting people. I know it will test me, which is good and what I need.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the show?

I don’t think there’s ever been a player like me. I hope to inspire many people. I love life, and I feel more of us need that positivity.

Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the game?

I feel like people will underestimate me just because of how I am and how I look with my orange hair, and because I have a stammer. People might think that I don’t have it in me to be brutal, but I do.

Q: Have you got a game plan?

I have if I’m picked as a Traitor, which I’d prefer, but if I’m not, then I would just be me. I guess you don’t have to do that much as a Faithful, because you don’t have to lie. I would just try and work out how people are, and if people are acting differently and just build lots of bonds and hold back a bit, but not hold back too much. You need a good balance.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I feel like I’ll be good, because I am a competitive person, and being good at Missions will help keep me in, I hope, because that’s how all of us build up the money pot. If I am good, then it’ll be harder to get rid of me, because I’m a good part of the team.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

I would be very happy because that is my aim. But if it actually happened, I might be a bit like oh my God, just keep calm and breathe!

Q: Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?

Because of my work, I have to tell little lies when I’m talking to clients. If I’m in a bad mood, I have to just put on a bit of an act because it isn’t about me; it’s about them getting their hair done.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

Well, the game is what it is, and we all know what it is, and it can be harsh. If it means that I have to backstab people with whom I have built bonds, that’s just how it is. It will be hard, but it isn’t like I’m at home. It is a game. All of us are in it, and all of us want to win. And if I don’t do it, they will.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan will be?

I would just be me, but I would pull back a bit. At the same time, I’d try not to hold back too much where it looks as if I’m sitting on the fence. I would just do my best and try to get people out with whom I get a bit of an offness. That’s all we can do, because it is hard.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

Good. There’s just a feeling you get. You can tell things don’t add up, and I am happy to call out people when they don’t.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

Well, you have to be trusted. Because I have a stammer, I can’t hide who I am, and it has helped me be an authentic person, because I just can’t hide it.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

I’d love to pay off my mum’s house because she raised me and is my bestie, and I would just love to give back to her. If I have a bit left, I would put it into my business.

Judy

Age: 60

Occupation: Child Liaison Officer

Location: Doncaster

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I applied because I thought I could do it, and it’s a great opportunity at this stage of my life. I just think that the whole experience will be incredible, and I will never, ever experience anything like this again.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you think you will bring to the game.

I’m very much a people person, and I work in fostering and adoption. I’m full of laughter, because I’m always jolly. I don’t do mardy. I just want to be there for people, embrace it and enjoy it. I’m going to let the game unfold, make myself present, whilst obviously keeping under that radar. I won’t be big and loud; I’ll be myself and have fun. People usually gravitate towards me because they think I’m quite warm and loving, which I am, but I can have a dark side if I need to! Overall, I think if I can nurture people and be there for them, as I do every day at work, I might bring that.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I want to go with the flow, be myself as fully as I can.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions, and what strengths do you think you’ll have in those?

You might think I’m getting on a bit, but I’m not. I’m going to get myself in there. I want a challenge. My husband has said, what if they do a challenge with a helicopter?! I’m not great with heights. Whatever the Missions might be, I’ll just have to throw myself into them. Of course I will!

Q: If you are a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

The thing is, I want to go into this game, and I don’t know what the outcome will be. I was all set on being a Faithful, but when I started playing with the idea of being a Traitor, I was just like, oh, I love this. I think it might be fun. I’m prepared to go all the way, and if anyone gets in my way, they’re going down!

Q: How do you feel about being a Faithful?

Well, as a Faithful, the challenge is obviously to try and find the Traitors, and I’m quite good at noticing body language. I’m dyslexic, but I think my brain is wired to be good at reading people. At least I like to think I can, and I tend to follow my gut. I’ll observe closely, slip into different crowds, move around, and get the feelers out in different groups. You can never be 100%, but over time, I’d hope to get to know everyone and spot the signs.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you spend it on?

Well, I’ve got a big family. I’ve got 11 grandkids, ranging from 17 to a year old. I’ve got three stepdaughters, who are absolutely beautiful inside and out, and my own children. I’d love to be able to book a villa for all of us – all the grandkids, everybody, just to do that as a one-off. That’s what I’d love to do, because everyone’s lives are busy and getting everyone together under one roof, I’d love to do that. I’m not a greedy person; life’s all about family to me. Sharing that win with all my family that I love would be truly special.

Matthew

Age: 35

Occupation: Creative Director

Location: Edinburgh

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

It’s an adventure and just seems fun. My New Year’s resolution was to have more adventures, and what I meant by that was more hiking, canoe trips, and camping, that sort of thing, but I’ve watched The Traitors and absolutely loved it, so I just thought, why not give it a go?

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the show?

Having watched the show, I think that I’ll be the first Northern Irish man to be on The Traitors, which is really fun. I’ve worked in an office in London, and people don’t really know anything about Northern Ireland, and they don’t know much about what it means to be Northern Irish, so the view that they do have of me and my accent is probably going to benefit me. I grew up in the countryside on a farm in Northern Ireland, which immediately creates this warm, fuzzy feeling.

Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the game?

I’m really competitive. I’ve played a lot of sports in my life, and I love games, so I’m going to play to win. I’m not overly emotional, and I really want to be a Traitor because I think I can stay true to my own values whilst still playing the game. I’m a good person, and in everyday life, if I saw someone in trouble on the street, I would be the first to step in and help. However, this is a game, and I’m very capable of compartmentalising, so if I must get rid of someone because that’s what the game’s saying, I won’t think twice about it, I’ll just do it.

Q: Do you have a game plan going in?

Anyone but me – that’s my simple plan, as long as it’s not me. I do not care whether they’re a Traitor or a Faithful, as long as it’s not me. I think The Traitors is a social game, and if you’ve got favour with people, or if someone has a warmer feeling towards me than someone else, then that’s the way that the vote will go. I think my biggest tactic is to always be part of the bigger group. No way am I getting off the train or getting in a coffin. I won’t do anything that sets me apart from the broader group, because I think that leaves you in danger. You’re playing two games essentially – murder and banishment. If you’re too much of a threat, you get murdered, and if you’re not popular enough, you get banished. It’s tricky to get that balance.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

Yeah, that’s what I’m really excited about. That’s one of my strategies as well, to be valuable. I’m not afraid of anything, I’m sporty, and I can swim all the time, so the physical missions will be fine. I do a lot of bouldering and climbing, so the heights are also fine, and I think I would relish all of them. The missions are what I’m really excited about, and I hope that’s a way to prove you’re trying to win money for the team and maybe even earn a shield.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

Really excited. I feel like being a Traitor might knock me down a peg or two, because if I’m not a Traitor, I might be getting mouthy. Whereas, if I am a Traitor, I might fly under the radar a little more than I would if I were a Faithful.

Q: Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?

I think so! I’m not showing it now, but we’re not in the game.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

It’s a game, so there’s no limit. I can’t express this enough because I am quite moral and I want to do the right thing, but this is a game, and so the moral dilemma that I see people face, I don’t quite get, because there’s no morality in this at all. We all know that we’re entering a game.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?

I’ll maybe try to figure out who I think is a Traitor and just get close to them.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

I feel like I’m quite good at it, but in this game, you don’t know people, so it’s hard. I don’t have any history with anyone to know what their tales are, so who knows? I think I’m quite good at noticing subtle shifts in behaviour towards me, so I would quickly spot if someone was creating distance with me or not making as much eye contact.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

Just to not be annoying. My strategy is to be myself and build meaningful relationships, which I think is actually the core part of it. It’s about genuinely finding out things, talking to people, and building that sort of trust by being curious.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

There are many things that I’ve imagined spending the money on. I really want to buy a little cottage in the Highlands somewhere. I go up there so much, and I just kind of imagine myself there, so that’s probably what I would do. My partner and I got engaged during COVID, and I had campaigned for marriage equality in Northern Ireland – they had civil partnerships, but they never had same sex marriage until 2020. At the time I was campaigning, I didn’t think I wanted to get married, but now I feel differently. So, having campaigned for marriage equality in Northern Ireland, I think that’s a better story for the last Round Table if I get there because it’s not cool to go against the gay people who want to get married! I think I would probably say I’m going to get married back home on my family farm in Northern Ireland. And then if I win, I might just have to do that.

Maz

Age: 59

Occupation: Civil Servant

Location: Preston

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I love the programme, so that’s a good start. I love the essence of The Traitors, from the Missions to the conversations to the relationships you form and the game itself.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the show?

I’m 59, and I’ve done various things in my life, so I feel I have good life experience. I’m told that I’m good to get on with and I’m funny – my kids say I’m funny looking. I think I can bring some humour, some chilled-out moments, and some interesting thoughts, and I think I will be able to add to the jigsaw of the game.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

Well, I suppose it depends on what I’m going to be. I think that’s the big thing, isn’t it? Whether I’m a Faithful or a Traitor, I’m going to try to be myself as much as I can.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I’m quite active, and I think I’m quite fit for my age. I play football twice a week, so I think I’ll bring that energy and drive. I know that I am a good team player. When I play football, I’m usually the one shouting my head off, giving people the drive and confidence, but not overpowering. I enjoy being part of a team, having fun, and getting the job done.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

I think it will be a really big challenge. I have opted to be a Traitor, and that’s a personal sort of challenge to myself to see if I can be the complete opposite of what a Faithful is. I would like to think I’ve lived my life consistently, trustworthy, honest, and reliable – all the good things- so I just want to see if I can maybe deviate from that and see if I am capable of doing it.

Q: Would you say that you’ve got a good poker face?

I mean, that’s for others to decide, isn’t it? I’m told I’ve got a warm, friendly face, but my past occupation would say that I could be quite poker-faced.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

I think as long as I remember it’s a game; I’m prepared to go as far as I can go if I don’t get caught. It’s just a game at the end of the day, so you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan will be?

I think my natural characteristics would stand me in good stead. Being a team player, getting on with people, having fun, and just being myself, to be honest.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

I’ve come across a lot of people that have lied to me in the past, and sometimes I’ve had that sixth sense to say, ‘do you know what? They’re not all what they appear to be! Sometimes I’ve been right, and sometimes I’ve been completely wrong, so it just depends on how much of a good liar they are.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

If I’m a Faithful, I think I need to be as honest and as genuine as possible. When I say “genuine,” I mean having true feelings and meaning behind what I say. Words are words, but actions speak louder than words, and in the Missions, and around the Round Table, I think if I come across well and if people see me as genuinely decent, then I think I’ll do alright.

Q: If you win the prize money, what would you spend it on?

Well, I have five children. The eldest is 30, the youngest 18, and I have five grandchildren, with another on the way in March. My one daughter has four-year-old twin boys, and she holds down a full-time job in HR. My other son has just married and had a baby, and my other daughter has just married and is expecting. I’ve then got a 21-year-old boy, and an 18-year-old daughter who’s just started university and is studying to become a midwife. So, listen, that money would be good.

Netty

Age: 42

Job Title: Nursery School Teacher

Location: Glasgow

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I love the game. I think it is one of the most amazing games you could possibly play. I also wanted to do something for myself, so I thought if I could do this, it would be amazing. Purely selfish reasons, but I just wanted to have some fun and do something that allowed me to get a little bit of myself back. I like delving into people and finding out about them, so I am excited to meet everyone and get to know them.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the game?

I don’t think I act my age. In my job, and just generally in life, I’m a little bit out there. I like to have fun, get along with people, and just see what happens in life. I’m curious, and I’m probably too enthusiastic at some points, but I think I’ll bring some humour and silliness to it. I don’t think I have a detective mode, but I like to question things and find out what’s going on, so hopefully I will do a bit of that as well.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I’m just going to be myself. I get along with most people, but as time goes on, I feel like maybe being myself isn’t what I should do, because sometimes people get voted out for just being themselves. I’m just going to ask questions and be curious.

Q: What are you like when playing games with friends and family? Would you say you’re competitive?

I’m competitive with myself; I want to know I’m doing my best. I won’t be too devious; I would never cheat to win. I don’t condone cheating, but I will do as much as I can up until that point to ensure that I can get along in a game and do as well as I can.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I hope I am! I like to do physical things and to challenge myself, even though I’m maybe not the most well-equipped. I’ve got a limb difference, and some things are more challenging for me than others, but I like to think I can work around it. I’m a bit of a problem solver, and I hope to bring people together when arguments arise.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

I think I want to be a Traitor. You just have more fun seeing the whole picture, and having that little extra bit of knowledge makes the game a little bit more interesting. So, I’m hoping I can be a Traitor!

Q: Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?

Probably not the best. I’m expressive with my face and with my hands, but I’ll definitely give it a good go.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

Anything within the rules of the game, and that isn’t sort of cheating. We’re all there to play a game, so let’s play a good one.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan will be?

I ask people questions. I like to watch people as well, see what’s going on, gather whatever information I can, and hopefully it will kind of come together. I think you’ve got to be able to work with other people. You can’t do any of the game on your own, so building relationships is really important.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

Probably not as good as I thought, but I’ve learned a few life lessons, so I am not as naive as I used to be. Not everyone is nice and wants to do nice things, and I need to remember that in the game.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

Definitely people skills. I don’t think you can be a Faithful on your own; you have to have people you can trust, people you can talk things through with, be honest with, and hopefully just understand where they’re coming from.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

Travelling! I’ve got a seven-year-old, and we live in a tiny little village in Glasgow. She’s already seen snippets of the world, but I just want her to know a bit more of that. I love travelling, so anything that means I could go and explore a bit more, I’d love to do.

Rachel

Age: 42

Occupation: Head of Communications

Location: County Down

Q: Why did you apply to be on the show?

I love the game. I’ve played Mafia for about 15 years, and I’m competitive through and through. My friends and family call me Monica from Friends.

I just love games. I love challenges, so I thought I’d give that a go.

Q: What qualities do you think you will bring to the show?

I will do anything to win. Nothing’s off the table. I’m very good at knowing the difference between reality and a game. I’m really competitive in challenges, so I’ll do whatever I can to get money in the bank. I’m a sociable person who loves learning, so I genuinely enjoy building meaningful connections and getting to know people. That also makes me a great detective, because I can piece together if people are potentially covering up the truth with lies.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I’m going to say I work in Marketing, which is true, but it leaves out the fact that I do strategic communications across Northern Ireland daily. I don’t want them to know that speaking to people and getting my point across comes naturally to me.

I suppose the overriding game plan is to just have fun and be super fun and super positive and be lovely to be around, which is going to hopefully get me a little bit further in the game.

Q: Do you think you will be good at the Missions? What strengths will you bring to those?

I’m always organising and helping people. And whilst I’m very competitive, I’m very patient. So if somebody’s not doing well in a challenge, I know when to flip it and go, you know, I’ll just take the loss and really help people. So, I think from a challenge perspective, I’d be a really, really strong player, a very logical thinker and very good at deciphering puzzles.

Q: If you were a Traitor, how do you think you would feel about that?

I’d love it. That is my go-to because I love being in control of a game more than anything. Kind of like being a bit of a puppet master. I have a lot of integrity in real life; I work for a charity that helps people. But I would love so much to play in a game where I get to backstab and lie to people’s faces, as I don’t get to do that any other time.

Q: Would you say you had a good poker face?

My husband can’t even tell if I’m telling the truth anymore, not that I lie to him all that often, but I could wind him up and say something off the cuff, and he’s like, I don’t even know if that’s true!

Q: How far would you be prepared to go to win?

It’s very black-and-white for me. If it’s a game, I would do anything at all to win. They’ve all signed up for a game with a very obvious name. If they don’t get the memo, you’re on the wrong show.

Q: If you were a Faithful, then what would your plan be?

I love human behaviour. If I’m not a Traitor, I’m going to be the best Faithful that you’ve ever seen. I started to look at an ex-FBI agent who does online classes – so looking at micro expressions and how to really read people, even their swallow and their blink rate. I think I would be a dangerous Faithful, and it would just be a case of keeping all of my suspicions a little bit quieter.

Q: What would you do with the prize money?

I would make memories with the most important people in my life. My mum has dementia, and she wants to go on a holiday as she used to go on holidays all the time before my dad passed. That’s all she wants. I just want to create memories with her whilst I’m still lucky enough to have her, and with my kids, because they just love their nanny.

Reece

Age: 27

Occupation: Sweet Shop Assistant

Location: Sheffield

Q: Why did you apply to appear on The Traitors?

I’ve always been so competitive, and it’s just the idea of having that unique experience because how many people can say they’ve been on The Traitors? I don’t think I’ve ever done anything in my life that’s truly unique, and because I have that competitive edge, I’m excited to see what I can do.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the game?

I’m not shy about being cutthroat. I’m not quite sure what you see is what you get, but obviously, I’m very aware that this is a game. If I must remodel my personality to fit what is in front of me at that time, that is what I will do. I’m very competitive and confident. I don’t want to change who I am or anything about me; I want to be successful, being me, in the game.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I want to be unapologetically myself. I think my individual traits, such as assertiveness, will propel me further. Once I get an idea, I will drive with that idea. My boss recently told me I have tunnel vision, and that if he doesn’t necessarily tell me how to get to the end goal, I’ll just smash through walls to get there anyway. So I’m going in with a game plan: be myself, but heighten the emotions I need to win. I’m very aware that it’s a game, so whether a Faithful or Traitor, I’m going to have to adapt to whatever’s happening in front of me.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

Physically, I think I’m in the best shape of my life at the moment, so the physical missions would be very much up my alley. I’ve always been into sports, and I’ve always been competitive, so I don’t necessarily think they’ll be a problem. I am also a boxing coach in my spare time, so I’d like to think I am resilient and strong. I like to pride myself on working well in a team, but I’m not afraid to work on my own, which we may have to do in some Missions.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

I think I’d actually be more comfortable being a Traitor. For me, again, those natural abilities I have of being assertive, a comfortable talker, being able to look somebody in the eye and perhaps lie for the benefit of myself, will just kind of naturally slot in for me a lot easier. Obviously, if I’m a Faithful, I will embrace that to the absolute end, but I want to be a Traitor.

Q: Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?

I’d like to think so. I’m generally very unserious, but I can be very serious at times. I’m quite an emotional person, not necessarily sobbing at the drop of a hat or anything like that, but my face tells a story before my words do, and I’m aware of that, so I will have to do a death stare.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

The obvious answer is, as far as possible. It is a level playing field, so if I say anything to win the game, I expect others to say the same about me. Although I sit here and say I would like to build bonds, relationships, and friendships, I would deliberately push them aside to push myself forward. To me, that’s how the game is going to work. It’s how it’s previously worked and how I imagine it will always work.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan will be?

I’d like to think that, as much as I am cutthroat, I’m very direct, and my intentions are true. If I don’t like a situation, I’ll tell you. If it’s 20 versus one, but I think the one’s right, there’ll be 20 versus two. I’ll happily stick my neck on the line, and as much as I’ve said I will throw people in the fire, I am a good ally, I’m a good companion, and I’m a good team player.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

I’m so certain of being a Traitor that I’ve not really considered it. As I’ve said, for being a Traitor, being able to heighten my assertiveness, for example, those qualities will translate to being a Faithful. I have no qualms in using my assertiveness, charm and confidence to lead a group. At the end of the day, the game is the game, isn’t it?

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

It’s so easy to say when you’re watching from your sofa, isn’t it? If you’d asked me before I found out I was going on, I’d have said ‘really good’, but now I know I’m going on, I’m second-guessing myself.

Q: What do you think you would do with the prize money? Should you win?

I’ve tried to keep it out of my mind, but I would definitely donate some money to charity. My girlfriend recently lost her grandad to cancer, and I completed a half-marathon to raise funds for Macmillan. It really touched my heart seeing all the family there. I’m lucky enough not have lost anybody, but that’s obviously a charity very close to my and my girlfriend’s hearts, so I would definitely want to put some money towards that. I’d also love to just be financially secure. My dream is to be able to look after myself and those around me, so Iwould like to put some money towards a house and get out of the rental market.

Ross

Age: 37

Occupation: Sales Exec and Personal Trainer

Location: London

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

Some of my clients had been talking about it, so I just applied on a whim.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the show?

I like to think I’m a good judge of character. I think it’ll be a fun, interesting adventure, and a cool opportunity. I’m actually really excited.

Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the game?

A competitive edge. I’m also a winner. I’ve won at most things. When I was younger, I played basketball for London and at the London Youth Games, then moved on to rugby sevens through Sport England’s Tall and Talented scheme, under-25s. I did bodybuilding. I’m a fifth-ranked muscle model in Europe. And so, yes, I have a lot of accolades, and I also generally believe I’m just really lucky.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I am going to try and hide in plain sight, although just by stature, I’m a big guy, and with quite a bassy voice, I don’t think that minimising myself is going to work out well! If anything, it’ll make me stand out even more. I’ll get a good lay of the land and use my good character and charisma, alongside the people skills that I have built up from working with people over the years and then, ideally, try and find a shield.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

Everything will get 100% effort. But I do see myself as quite a simple lad, so we’ll see how it goes. As long as you try your best, that’s all you can do.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

If I were a Traitor, I would try to build as much routine as possible and use it as an anchor to change behaviour. I would wholly want to play exactly the same plan as I would as a Faithful in terms of getting to know people. My goal would be to kill anybody who I think was paying me a bit too much attention.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

All the way. Charlotte from the last series ultimately did what it took. She didn’t give up. And I have to respect that attitude. I think I’d go pretty hardcore myself!

Q: Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?

No, but what I do have that would be good is mixing lies with the truth. For instance, I have a good poker face when talking about something true, which might help conceal something else being alluded to.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?

Try to get to know people as much as possible. I will try, whilst getting to know people, to get an idea of where the inconsistencies lie in what they are saying. If someone tells a story that doesn’t make sense, I’ll go along with it, but I’ve clocked it.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

I’m good. I will basically pay attention to what people say, rather than what I think of them.

Q: If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

I think it’s important as a Faithful to build a sense of community. Because realistically, it is a team. We are working together. And I think even though you’ve seen stuff break down where nobody knows who to trust, if we do work together, I do think ultimately, in a group situation, it should be quite difficult for Traitors to move around.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

I should say put it into buying a house, but what I’m planning to do is formalise my PT training by potentially doing further education in sports and nutrition. Body composition is what I’m really, really interested in. It’s a big passion of mine, something I’ve studied for years.

Roxy

Age: 32

Occupation: Recruiter

Location: Amsterdam

Q: Why did you apply to be on the Traitors?

When I watched the first series, it was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. The first six years of my life were a little rocky, and I think having that lived experience of adapting to different situations, meeting different people, and figuring out who to trust, I thought those skills that have come from unfortunate circumstances would actually take me really far on the show.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the show?

Throughout my life, I’ve always been a very open book. I connect with different people, different cultures, and I think there’s a lot to be said for that, whether you’re a Faithful or a Traitor in the show – just being a genuine person.

Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the game?

It can be a blessing and a curse that I’m quite an empath. I hope I bring a bit of unity to the group.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

I think it’s just going in with an open mind, and it’s easier to adapt to situations when you don’t know what to expect. It’s really hard to strategise for the unknown.

Q: What are you like when playing games with friends and family? Would you say you’re competitive?

We have a very competitive family. We play card games for money.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I work out quite a lot and really look after myself. When it comes to general knowledge, that’s not my forte, so I hope there’s someone there that’s bright!

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

It leans away from my natural personality, so I think it’d be really interesting to wear that hat. But I also think I’m very laid back, you have to get on with people. If people come at me, I think I’ll be okay with it. I brush things off quite quickly.

Q: Would you say that you’ve got a good poker face?

I definitely think so. Let’s see how it goes.

Q: If you’re a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

I think if there’s anything ethically or morally, I will have a word with myself and remind myself that it’s just a game. There are things that I won’t do; you don’t overstep certain marks. I will do my best to stay within my moral sphere and remain true to my moral compass.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan will be?

Just being authentic, my normal, kind and empathetic self, and not changing who I am.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

I don’t think I would be the best at catching Traitors!

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

I think you’ve got to be really resilient, because every Faithful will have something thrown at them. You need to convey your message and your innocence, but in a way that’s not abrasive or rude, and that won’t put more suspicion on you, so I think I have to play it nice.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

I’ve got a big family. I would love to take all of those guys away and just do something nice as a family unit. I’d also use the money to start a family with my boyfriend.

Sam

Age: 34

Occupation: Account Manager

Location: North Yorkshire

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

I have been the biggest fan of the show across all the seasons. This show is like a breath of fresh air and authentic fun, but also a ton of emotions, gameplay and competitiveness. It really suits my character, and I’m at a stage in my life where I just want to have as many amazing experiences as possible. I applied on a whim, and then suddenly we’re here.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and what you think you’ll bring to the show?

I’m a very competitive person. I really enjoy building authentic relationships with people, but I also have a ruthlessly competitive side. I’m hoping that I’ll be made a Traitor, as I think I have all the right attributes for it. I studied languages at university, so I spent a lot of time in different countries, and I love meeting people from diverse backgrounds with varied life experiences. Everyone’s got a story, right? And I think I’ve got good ones to tell, too.

Q: What do you think you’ll bring to the game?

Fun! I’m really silly, and I like messing around. I like making people laugh, so I hope I can bring good spirits when it gets quite intense. I’m also quite physically fit, so I hope I can help the team out in Missions.

Q: Do you have a game plan?

My game plan is to assume I’m going to be made a Traitor. I’ve rewatched all three seasons recently to see exactly how the good and bad Traitors played the game. The best answer I’ve found is that the first five to seven banishments and murders are pretty much a matter of chance. It’s almost herd mentality: people go into that Round Table, and one person says something that catches on, and it becomes a domino effect.

My game plan is very much to be in the middle, not too much on the front foot, but still offering some opinions. I will then create the authentic relationships that I need to, without being too cliquey, because that can also be suspicious. I’m going to play it in the middle, but always be ready to be aggressive when I need to be.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how do you think you’ll feel?

Amazing – I’d just feel so excited. Of course, I’d feel anxious, because I’ve imagined it so much, but it would just be a great experience.

Q: If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?

All the way! I have a side of me which is just ruthlessly competitive. I know it’s a game, and I also know that if the shoe were on the other foot, they would do the same to me, so I can detach myself emotionally from that situation.

Q: Would you say you’ve got a good poker face?

I think so! You can never see yourself, but I’d like to think so.

Q: Do you think you’ll be good at the Missions? What strengths do you think you might bring to them?

Part of the whole experience of this show is doing the Missions. Physically, I’m very active, fit, and healthy, so I really enjoy a good physical challenge. I’m not as strong at problem-solving, but I will definitely take as much responsibility as I can in challenges where I like to lead.

Q: If you’re a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?

In a way, I think being a Faithful might be easier because you can be totally your authentic self. You don’t have to worry at all about slipping up or making a wrong impression. Being a Faithful means that you have a total lack of control, so you are almost being played instead of playing the game, which is why I would like to be a Traitor.

Q: How good are you at spotting a liar?

I think I’m very good, and it’s one of those things where you have to be consistently wary about whatever anyone’s saying. Even their backstory could be a lie, so I’m constantly aware. I think that’s the easiest way to stay on your toes and spot any lies: consistently remind yourself that what this person’s telling me could be completely fabricated.

Q: If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you’re going to need to make it through to the final?

It’s those authentic relationships. I build trust very well because I do trust people, and as much as I like to talk, I’m a better listener, which I think builds a lot of trust as well.

Q: If you win the prize money, what do you think you’ll spend it on?

My wife and I want to start a family next year; that’s the biggest reason I’m doing this. The money would go towards childcare and other essentials, since costs are astronomical now, and it would just lift so much external pressure off us.

Stephen

Age: 32

Occupation: Cyber Security Consultant

Location: London

Q: Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?

It’s one of those games you can’t watch without putting yourself in. There are certain shows where you’re screaming at the TV with every single decision that’s made, thinking why have you done that? Or why have you said that? Or I could do better than that. I genuinely love this game. Maybe I’ve got a bit of a delusional kind of sense that I can do really well in this.

Q: Have you watched it from the start?

Yes, and every franchise. I’ve actually been re-watching some of the seasons, just to kind of get my head in the game and examine certain things that people have done that were so normal to them but others found weird, so looking out for those little things that might arouse suspicion. I think a lot of the play really depends on who’s around you. You have to read the room really quickly at the beginning, and previous players’ tactics may not work here. Also, people are going into this game now knowing a lot more about how the game works, and I think that really means you’ve got to come up with a new strategy, your own strategy.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you think you will bring to the game.

I’m very personable. People seem to let their guard down around me very quickly when I first meet them. I think that’s partly due to having quite a regional accent that I think works in my favour. It might sound like a simplistic game plan to just make friends with everyone, but I do think that comes naturally to me. However, I’m very competitive and pragmatic, and I take the game seriously. I’m going to use what I feel is my quite innate talent to bring people closer and solidify myself within the group, so they would feel bad about getting rid of me.

Q: Do you think you’d be good at the Missions?

That’s one of the things I’m so excited about. I’m quite active. I would say that. Not going to say that I’m an absolute hunk, but I am quite active. I go to the gym every day, and I used to be a competitive gymnast. So, in terms of the physical nature of them, I’m really excited about that, but also the opportunity to work as a team because I love team sports.

Q: Would you like to be a Traitor or a Faithful?

I can be a bit of a control freak, and I feel like, as a Traitor, it really is the best way to take control of the game. Your chances of going home are slashed by 50% because you can only go out by banishment. Whereas, if you’re a Faithful, you’ve got two chances of being banished or murdered. Watching it, you sometimes think, oh my God, the Traitors have to hide who they are the whole time but you have to walk a difficult line as a Faithful.

Make connections, but don’t be too loud; contribute ideas, but don’t be suspicious. As a Faithful, I’d have to find that middle ground. One of the things I really want to make sure I do when I’m in there is have as much fun as possible. I don’t want a voice in my head saying, oh, act like this now, or do this now, or try and do this now. I’m hoping that it will come naturally. Depending on the role I’ve been assigned, I’ll hopefully fall into that.

Q: Would you say that you have a good poker face?

I do have a good poker face, I think. My lip doesn’t quiver; I don’t give much away. However, I can go quite red-faced. Being from the north of Scotland, you only need to take a walk outside on a rainy day, and you’re burnt to a crisp!

Q: Would you say that you’re good at spotting a liar?

I do think I can read people quite well. I really do think I’m quite good at noticing changes in emotion and in people’s mannerisms. I’ve got a degree in linguistics, and I notice when people use weird turns of phrase or when their diction shifts slightly.

Q: If you should win the prize money, what do you think you would spend it on?

Firstly, I really want to give back to my parents. I was the first person in my family to go to university, and we weren’t a university family at all. Financially, it wasn’t something we could really afford, but my parents made many sacrifices to push me through. I would love to give back to my dad, the most incredible artist. He’s a butcher by trade, but I would love to be able to just give him a chance to get away from that and really have more time to work on his art as much as possible.

For myself, I’ve been in London for eight years, and I’m getting to the point where I’d like to get on the property ladder.