'I always cry at the end'

Who will win The Traitors? Claudia Winkleman says the series' secrets are safe with her, but that viewers will be satisfied. Plus, this year's departed contestants have their say…

Claudia Winkleman wearing an all black suit, stood between two hooded figures.

BBC / Studio Lambert / Cody Burridge

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In The Traitors, you can’t trust anyone. The best friend you sit next to at breakfast might be campaigning to banish you. The nice old lady you help in a challenge could be plotting your murder. Even a Welsh person is probably English. In fact, as we approach the finale of series three – which has, as usual, seen a group of chosen “Traitors” deceive and fake-murder the majority “Faithful” contestants – only one person has stayed loyal: host Claudia Winkleman.

We weren’t able to pry any secrets from her, although she has already revealed a twist. Every episode sees the Faithful try to “banish” a Traitor in a heated round-table discussion, with the victim revealing their true allegiance as they leave. But in this week’s final debate, they’ll keep schtum, leaving the remaining players to guess if they’re right, before ending the game. If all Traitors are gone, the Faithfuls split the prize of up to £120,000. If any Traitors remain, they get the lot.

Claudia Winkleman being held by two people in the middleof a forest.

Claudia Winkleman. BBC / Studio Lambert

“At the end, I’ll thank somebody for taking part, and they will just walk out,” Winkleman explained recently. “You’re going to like the end, I hope. It throws it all on its head.”

Who will take home that money? Winkleman knows all… but she isn’t telling.

Claudia, you’ve already revealed the banishment twist in this year’s finale — how does that change the game and tactics?

I’d so love to answer this fully. I realise I’m the most annoying person on the planet, but I’m too scared to give anything away! All I can say is it means people must rely on their instinct even more. The gameplay is different. I realise this is frustrating. Call me after the final and we can chat for hours about it… It means trust, which is at the very heart of the game, is more vital than ever. If I tell you anything else, I will lose my job. And I really, really like it.

How did you react at the ending?

I always cry at the end. If I didn’t, something would be off. That’s all I can say.

You’ve said there’s a banishment this series that has you in floods of tears — what happened?

Thankfully, there wasn’t a camera anywhere near me. I just couldn’t stand someone leaving. Again, let’s speak on 25 January and I’ll tell you who it was.

If I tell you anything, I will lose my job

A lot of contestants are hiding their identity this year — a secret vicar, an ex-soldier pretending to be a nail technician. Did they make life harder for themselves, or can you see the wisdom in it?

I love the gameplay and I’m absolutely here for it.

You wake up tomorrow and you’re in the castle as a Traitor. What’s your first move?

Say nothing. I would mess it up, though, within three minutes.

Would you be a better Faithful? How’s your lie-detecting?

I think I’d prefer to be a faithful, but I genuinely have no idea if someone is lying to me. My 18-year-old told me she’d done all her homework for years.

How and why did you pick the initial three Traitors? What made them each stand out?

It’s not down to me. There’s a group of us, including the brilliant producers and casting team. We go into a room and don’t leave until they’re chosen. If someone asks not to be a Traitor, they wouldn’t be picked.

A celebrity Traitors is coming up — has it been filmed yet? Will you reveal any details at the end of this series?

The weather has been pretty tricky lately don’t you think? Lots of rain the other day.

Claudia Winkleman sitting in an armchair opposite another empty armchair with a table holding gold coins in the foreground.

Claudia Winkleman on The Traitors. BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry

Well, have you vetoed any of your friends or colleagues doing it — for example, Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood would be great but would that distract you?

I haven’t vetoed anyone, but I think it would be hard if a great friend did it.

We have Junior Taskmaster, Junior Bake Off — would you ever do kids’ Traitors? Or would it be too traumatic?

It’s a great show for grown-ups.

You’ve stayed in contact with previous contestants. Who from this year’s crop are you especially hoping you’ll keep in touch with?

All of them, if they’ll have me. Just this second I was messaging [series one Traitor] Wilf. Without wanting to make you hurl, we’re family.

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Authors

Radio Times commissioning editor Huw Fullerton. He sits in front of a shelving unit, looking at the camera and smiling. He wears glasses and has a moustache

Huw FullertonCommissioning editor

Huw Fullerton is a commissioning editor for Radio Times magazine handling comedy, entertainment and specialist drama. In a previous regeneration, he covered all things sci-fi and fantasy for RadioTimes.com.

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