Claudia Winkleman(Image: Getty Images)

BBC The Traitors star says Claudia Winkleman 'broke character' during unseen moment

by · DevonLive

Paul Gorton, star of The Traitors, has shared a behind-the-scenes moment when Claudia Winkleman couldn't maintain her on-screen persona after he was ousted from the show.

Paul won over viewers in the last series as he and fellow Traitor Harry Clark worked together to eliminate the Faithful. However, in a shocking twist, Harry double-crossed Paul in the eighth episode, ensuring his own place in the final.

Harry then outwitted close friend Mollie Pearce, stealing the cash prize right from under her nose. But it was Paul's departure that caused Claudia to break character.

During an appearance on the Off The Telly podcast, Paul recalled: "I got up and I did get a bit emotional. I was like 'I love you all and this has been great' and you know you feel a little lump coming because I know my time is done.

"So as soon as I said I'm a Traitor, I'm not joking, but the room erupted and Claudia broke character. You see her face going 'oh my God, this is great TV,' she's like 'I'm going to be booked for the third season, a bit of cash'," reports Bristol Live.

"So then I just felt like that's my final moment, my final bow, my exit and off I go. I'm so glad I did it."

Joanne Page, host of the podcast and star of Gavin and Stacey, responded: "It was incredible, incredible."

EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy added: "It was great you did it."

The Traitors, presented by Claudia Winkleman on the BBC, is back on our screens with a vengeance(Image: Cody Burridge/BBC/PA Wire)

The Traitors' riveting dynamic between the Traitors and the Faithful as they vie for a cash prize of up to £120,000 continues to enthral the nation. Each day, the Faithful face the daunting task of banishing one among them, all the while facing the hidden threat of being "murdered" by the Traitors.

Critics have given the show high marks, and it has been a hit with audiences, drawing in over 10 million viewers this series. A celebrity edition is on the cards, and whispers of an all-star installment are circulating.

Intrigue could be further fuelled by Paul's zest for retribution against Harry, his old teammate. Speaking with the Daily Star on behalf of Heart Bingo, Paul said he was ready for another round: "I'm such an ambassador for the show and I would do anything for the show."

Paul in season two of The Traitors(Image: No credit)

He added confidently: "Sign me up straight away and get Harry back in because I need some revenge on him."

The gripping game of deceit returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer tonight at 9pm, with the grand finale airing at 8.30pm tomorrow, unveiling who will take home the jackpot.

Reflecting on the show's success, Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, praised the third series: "Series 3 of The Traitors has brought together an overwhelmingly faithful and growing audience, with more viewers being recruited for that 'appointment to view' watching, already at 10m watching episode one so far. It's the perfect order for January viewing and this series has brought even more twists and turns to keep us all guessing."