Claudia Winkleman, the host of The Traitors, has revealed that she initially turned down the opportunity to present the reality show. The TV star, who has now been the face of the BBC One game show for two series, first declined the offer to host the thrilling challenge where ordinary people have to figure out who among them are “faithfuls” and the “traitors”.
The star – who also presents Strictly Come Dancing – told The Midpoint podcast revealed her reason for almost rejecting the gig. She said: “The Traitors is something I initially turned down because I didn’t like leaving my bed or the kids and they were like “would you go to Scotland for three and a half weeks? And I was like “I don’t think so.”
(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Mark Mainz)
Claudia also explained that the production team sent her clips from the original Dutch version, De Verraders, which aired in 2021, but she didn’t watch them immediately. But in a quick change of heart, the TV star explained: “Then I watched the Dutch version and I became so obsessed.
“I sent an email to Kate Phillips who offered me the job, who works at the BBC, saying ‘I’ve booked a train, I want to do this more than anything’ because it is a privilege to watch the psychology and gameplay up close.”
The first series of BBC’s The Traitors had audiences gripped when it premiered at the end of 2022. An impressive 4.7 million viewers tuned in for the thrilling finale, which saw “faithfuls” Meryl, Hannah, and Aaron triumph, despite traitor Wilfred’s near success in snatching the jackpot, reports Chronicle Live.
(Image: PA)
Host Claudia then scooped up the Bafta for best entertainment performance last year, while the show itself nabbed the award for best reality and constructed factual programme. The second series outdid the first, with over eight million people watching the edge-of-your-seat final where 22 year old “traitor” Harry Clark cunningly defeated his rivals to claim £95,150.
Claudia later shared that the team was “overwhelmed” by the reaction to the initial series but hailed the game show and its production crew as “exceptional”. She also mused on the show’s lesson about instincts, saying: “Everybody tells you all your life… trust your gut. Whether you should go out with him, or whether she should be your friend, or whether you should go out with her, or whatever. Should you get this flat? Should you rent it? Just trust your gut. And the Traitors throws that out the window. Turns out your gut knows nothing.”
The Traitors is set to make a thrilling comeback on New Year’s Day with its third series, promising more reality TV drama.
View news Source: https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/real-reason-claudia-winkleman-almost-34341626
