Claudia Winkleman has been the host of The Traitors since its launch in 2022, admitting she has now become ‘obsessed ‘ with the show, but one contestant has revealed what she’s like off screen
A former contestant from The Traitors says Claudia showed her true colours with one question(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
A former contestant on The Traitors has revealed what iconic host Claudia Winkleman is really like. Many fans of the hit BBC show will remember Paul Gorton as the cunning Traitor from 2024.
He managed to “murder” a fan favourite on the show and even initially found himself considered a well trusted Faithful. Paul however was eventually banished from the castle during one of the most intense round tables to date.
It paved the way for fellow Traitor Harry Clark to secure the prize pot in the final. Now in its fourth year The Traitors sees two teams, the Faithful and the Traitors, battling it out for a £120,000 prize pot.
Since its launch, the BBC One series has been presented by former Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia. The 53-year-old’s theatrical persona and deadpan commentary on the show have made her a favourite with fans.
And Paul says the humour fans see on screen seeps into Claudia’s personality off camera. Speaking to Heat, he said: “She’s a full-on stand-up comedian.
“Like, she is the funniest, driest person and an extraordinary woman. I’m so glad that she is getting her own chat show off the back of it – I still think there’s so much more that people haven’t seen from her.”
Last month it was announced that Claudia would be launching a new BBC chat show in the spring. It will be produced by the same company that makes The Graham Norton Show.
Claudia said: “I can’t quite believe it and I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for this amazing opportunity. I’m obviously going to be awful, that goes without saying, but I’m over the moon they’re letting me try.”
And while her career continues to take off, Paul says Claudia still occasionally keeps in touch with the former contestants from The Traitors. He says he gets the “odd message every now and again” and occasionally sees the TV presenter leaving a comment or like on Instagram.
Paul, 37, however says Claudia really showed her true colours when he bumped into her at the Royal Albert Hall last year. He said: “Claudia came over and said, ‘How are your kids? I love them,’ and you think, ‘Oh you’re invested in me. You’re not just a host and then you disappear.”
While The Traitors now pulls in millions of viewers each episode, Claudia admits she never thought it would be such a success. Speaking to Grazia magazine , she said: “We didn’t foresee this.
“We went to Scotland with the amazing people who make it and a pair of red fingerless gloves and gave it our best shot. I think people like it because the psychology is extraordinary – just watching people work out whether they’re being lied to. The dynamics feel addictive. I’m completely obsessed.”
The Traitors returns at 8pm on BBC One tonight (January 14).