Claudia Winkleman in tears behind-the-scenes as she's left stunned by The Traitors twist
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BBC's The Traitors is sending the nation into a frenzy with its gripping gameplay. Initially, only 1,500 hopefuls applied to be part of the first series of the Mafia-inspired reality show, but this number skyrocketed to 40,000 for the second series. When the gates opened for the upcoming series, an astonishing 300,000 wannabe traitors (and faithfuls) clamoured for a chance to play. Host Claudia Winkleman can't help but feel a strong bond with the contestants, confessing that by the time filming wraps up, she views them as her "children".
She even revealed to HELLO! Magazine that the departure of one player this year brought her to tears, saying: "There is somebody this year, and you can't see it, but I really cried when they were banished.". The game's ruthless nature includes banishment – where players vote off those they suspect of treachery – and "murders," executed by Traitors aiming to stealthily eliminate the Faithfuls who are suspicious of them.
Originating from Dutch TV, The Traitors has soared in popularity in the UK, with a fourth series already given the go-ahead and a celebrity edition in the pipeline, reports Lancs Live. Despite its success, the producers keep the game fresh with new tweaks that enhance the already cunning twists, ensuring that trust remains at the heart of the show, as Claudia hints at exciting changes that will keep everyone on their toes.
Claudia Winkleman revealed a key twist in the latest series that kicked off on New Year's Day: ousted contestants who make it all the way to the final are no longer required to disclose their roles as Traitors or Faithfuls, leading to an atmosphere of doubt and second-guessing amongst those left in the game. This added to Claudia’s emotional turmoil during a recent banishment.
