The Traitors series three winner Jake Brown has said he was ‘taken aback’ by how Claudia Winkleman behaves in real life, after spending weeks filming with the presenter
A former participant on The Traitors has confessed he was “taken aback” after meeting presenter Claudia Winkleman in person. Jake Brown, who shared the £94,600 jackpot with co-winner Leanne Quigley in series three, disclosed his astonishment at discovering what Claudia is like off-camera.
Speaking to The Sun’s TV Mag about whether Claudia ever drops her on-screen persona, he said: “I was taken aback by how normal she is. Claudia’s one of those celebrities who’s even better than she appears on TV.”
His fellow winner Leanne remarked: “Claudia’s the perfect host. She has a big heart and I think she wanted to check in on us, but she had to keep the persona.”
Their observations emerge as the civilian edition of The Traitors prepares to return to BBC screens on New Year’s Day, with fresh competitors battling for the substantial prize money as either Traitors or Faithfuls.
Since launching in the UK several years ago, following its initial European success, The Traitors has become a phenomenal hit with audiences.
Presenter Claudia has proved integral to the programme’s appeal, playing a key role in its ability to captivate viewers nationwide since 2023.
Indeed, Claudia, who recently departed Strictly Come Dancing alongside co-host Tess Daly, recalls the programme’s humble beginnings before it achieved widespread acclaim.
She also shared with the publication: “It started with just a gang of us on a train, carrying fingerless red pleather gloves and a few ceremonial pouches, and I like to still think of it as that tiny show…I’m incredibly lucky and grateful. I have to pinch myself every single time.”
While Claudia has proven herself a natural at presenting the programme, it has recently emerged that she wasn’t initially the producers’ top pick for the role.
During an appearance on The Rest is Entertainment podcast, Kate Philips revealed they had considered several other personalities, including a well-known Scottish actor, before settling on Claudia.
She explained: “We were looking at hosts. And Alan Cumming had been signed to do the American one, and I thought ‘well Alan’s known here’. And you know, he’s a popular Scottish actor.
“So we did actually, full disclosure, ask Alan if he would do it. But he couldn’t do it with our dates because America were going first and then we were going and he had another job so he couldn’t did it.
“Then we were thinking who else? …. And I just thought of Claudia, as I’d worked with her on Strictly. And the thing about Claudia on Strictly is she’s brilliant on that show but she’s brilliant because she’s interested in the people more than the dancing. So, I rang Claudia. I rang her up and she’s a good friend and she’s always open to new challenges.”
