Former The Traitors contestant Paul Gorton has given fans a rare glimpse behind the curtain, revealing the genuine warmth of host Claudia Winkleman in a touching off-screen moment. Gorton, who was the cunning Traitor in the show's 2024 series, says a simple, personal question from Winkleman at a chance meeting showed her true colours as more than just a presenter.
From Cunning Traitor to Trusted Faithful
Fans of the hit BBC One series will remember Paul Gorton for his deceptive gameplay during the 2024 season. Initially trusted by many as a Faithful, he was in fact a Traitor who successfully "murdered" a fan favourite. His run eventually ended in one of the show's most intense roundtable banishments, paving the way for fellow Traitor Harry Clark to win the £120,000 prize pot. The show, now in its fourth year, continues to pit Faithfuls against Traitors in a high-stakes battle of trust and deception.
Claudia Winkleman: The Stand-Up Comedian Off Camera
Since the show's launch in 2022, Claudia Winkleman's theatrical persona and deadpan commentary have made her a favourite. According to Gorton, that sharp humour is no act. Speaking to Heat magazine, the 37-year-old said: "She’s a full-on stand-up comedian". He praised her as the "funniest, driest person" and an "extraordinary woman," expressing delight that she is launching her own BBC chat show this spring, produced by the team behind The Graham Norton Show.
Winkleman herself admitted she never anticipated the show's massive success, telling Grazia she is now "completely obsessed" with the addictive psychology of watching people detect lies.
The Question That Revealed Her True Investment
While Winkleman occasionally keeps in touch with contestants via social media, Gorton says a meeting at the Royal Albert Hall last year was particularly revealing. "Claudia came over and said, 'How are your kids? I love them,'" Gorton recalled. This personal inquiry, remembering details about his family, struck him deeply. "You think, 'Oh you're invested in me. You're not just a host and then you disappear.'"
This insight into Winkleman's character comes as The Traitors continues to pull in millions of viewers. The show returns for a new episode tonight, January 14, at 8pm on BBC One.
