The Graham Norton Show

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 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).

The Graham Norton New Year’s Eve Show on BBC One, which featured actors Will Arnett and Owen Cooper as guests, looked back at the highlights – and low points – of 2025

TV host Graham Norton took aim at Donald Trump minutes into his New Year’s Eve special last night.

During his review of 2025, the veteran broadcaster was quick to turn his attention to the US President’s visit to the UK to meet the Royal Family. Graham, 62, flashed up a photo of Melania Trump wearing a wide-brimmed purple hat and joked she looked like “a lamp”.

He then quipped that the statement headwear may have been worn to stop her husband from leaning in for a kiss — setting the tone for a night of trademark digs just minutes into The Graham Norton New Year’s Eve Show on BBC One.

The Irish comedian kept the jokes rolling, leaning into the moment as he told viewers: “He was welcomed by the King and Queen, who were clearly happy to be photographed with him — Melania, not so much.” When the camera cut back to Melania’s oversized purple hat, Graham quipped: “I’m just a lamp. Please ignore me, I’m just a lamp,” before repeating, “Just ignore me,” while playfully mimicking her accent.

READ MORE: Claudia Winkleman secures huge BBC show after The Traitors successREAD MORE: Alan Carr admits ‘addiction’ meant he missed once-in-a-lifetime experience

Yet, Graham took the gag further, Express.co.uk reports. He added: “Actually there is a security reason why Melania always wears a hat.. A nice wide brim can literally save her from a fate worse than death”” before footage showed Mr Trump attempting to kiss her on the cheek — only to be blocked by the hat.

Graham looked back at the highlights — and low points — of 2025 on the festive edition of his programme. His savage swipes came minutes into the episode of the BAFTA-winning chat show, pre-recorded ahead of its BBC One and iPlayer broadcast.

Tom Hiddleston, Laura Dern and Will Arnett, alongside Owen Cooper, Carey Mulligan and Tim Key joined Graham on the red sofa to ring in the new year. Alison Limerick provided the night’s music by performing her dance classic Where Love Lives.

The BBC recommissioned the programme for three more series earlier this year. Speaking at the time, the broadcaster said the programme remains one of its biggest entertainment successes, averaging 2.9 million viewers per episode across its most recent run and continuing to pull in huge numbers across social platforms including YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.

Graham, born in Dublin, Ireland, said hosting the programme remained both “a pleasure” and a “privilege”, teasing that the team were already looking ahead to welcoming more global stars onto the sofa.

This year’s New Year’s Eve line-up reflected that star power, with Hollywood names, British comedy favourites and breakout TV stars all joining Graham to look back on 2025.