Former Detective Chief Inspector Amanda Collier has made a startling revelation about her time on the BBC's hit reality show The Traitors, claiming her extensive police background actually worked against her in the game. The 58-year-old, who spent 30 years with the Metropolitan Police, described the psychological pressure of the show as more intense than any murder investigation she conducted during her career.
A Detective Out of Her Element
Amanda, who appeared as a Faithful in the most recent series, admitted she entered the Scottish castle with misplaced confidence. "I'd watched the show and thought, well, it's about murders. I'm a detective, let's see if proper detective work can actually solve it," she explained. "But I was in fight or flight mode for virtually the whole time I was there."
The retired officer found the complete absence of tangible evidence particularly disorienting. "There's no evidence! Which is why my skillset just didn't translate," she told the Mirror. "What you're looking for is mistakes, that's the closest thing you can get to what my job was."
The Personal Nature of the Game
Amanda highlighted the fundamental difference between police work and the reality show's dynamics. "When I was investigating a crime, we had a team who were all working towards the same goal, which was to collect the evidence, take it to a court and convict the person," she said. "But this game is personal, it's all about you as an individual, fitting in and trying to survive."
Her police training proved difficult to conceal from fellow contestants. "I'm hyper-vigilant and that made me a threat," Amanda sighed. "I knew I was being too me. I just couldn't help myself. As a police officer, after 30 years, you just have an aura about you. On day one, I thought well, I would definitely murder me."
Costly Misjudgments and Unexpected Bonds
The pressure led to significant errors in judgment, most notably when Amanda spearheaded accusations against fellow Faithful Jade Scott. She misinterpreted Jade's defensive behaviour at the round table as guilt, unaware that Jade's guarded personality stemmed from the tragic deaths of her mother and sister in Hong Kong in 2018.
"I've told Jade I'm sorry," Amanda explained about the misunderstanding. "We've had long chats about it now and I've praised her sheer resilience for getting through that and getting to the end."
In a surprising twist, Amanda formed a strong bond with eventual winner Rachel Duffy, who was actually a Traitor throughout the game. "Not one tiny bit!" Amanda laughed when asked if she'd suspected Rachel. The pair connected over shared experiences with dementia, as both had parents affected by the condition.
A Life-Saving Discovery
Beyond the game's psychological challenges, Amanda revealed that participating in The Traitors may have saved her life. The comprehensive medical examination required before filming uncovered advanced heart disease that she hadn't been aware of.
"I had to have a CT scan and there was a particular type of blood test that they did - they couldn't work out why I was so fit but my heart was telling them a different story," she explained. Tests revealed dangerously high cholesterol levels requiring immediate medication.
"My drugs are keeping me stable, I just can't do marathons any more," Amanda said, adding: "I think my fitness has kept me safe, but I want to highlight heart disease. For me, it's about the things that are in your control - look at your lifestyle, look at how much exercise you do, think about alcohol intake."
Looking to the Future
Since her appearance on the show, Amanda has received numerous messages from the LGBTQ community after declaring "I'm a lesbian!" at the round table to dispel rumours about her relationship with fellow contestant Hugo Lodge. "I'd like to do more to support gay people," said the married former detective. "I've had a lot of messages from those who are struggling."
Amanda also expressed interest in future television work, particularly in the crime genre. "I'd like to do some presenting on real crime shows," she laughed. "There is a fun side to me that's not really come out."
Reflecting on her overall experience, Amanda maintained that despite the difficulties, appearing on The Traitors was ultimately positive. The show not only provided unexpected health revelations but also created lasting friendships and new opportunities beyond her police career.
