The much-awaited third instalment of The Traitors made a thrilling comeback to TV last night.
Launched on January 1, the gripping game show divides 22 participants into ‘Faithfuls’ and ‘Traitors’. With an eye-watering £120,000 at stake, contestants must unveil the Traitors among them to snatch the prize. If a Traitor remains undetected until the end, they clinch the whole jackpot.
In the run-up to season three, Screen Time caught up with Theo Mayne, who experienced the intrigue and ousting of the inaugural series in 2022. The opener set a riveting tone with host Claudia Winkleman expelling two players almost instantly.
Despite an intense beginning, Theo Mayne, 28, an actor and cheerleading coach from Leeds, has warm memories of hosting heavyweight Claudia. He recounted how his rapport with the 52-year-old presenter evolved post-filming in the Highlands, reports the Mirror.
“I don’t think I could have picked an better host for the show. She is a lovely woman. The day I got banished, when the cameras stopped rolling, she came up behind me and gave me a big, big hug and just said ‘It’s okay’ because I was still sobbing.”
Theo’s time in the castle ended in episode nine after he was betrayed by Amanda Lovett, who cast him out even after previously assuring her loyalty. Two years on, the actor has opened up about maintaining connections with his former rivals from the show, including Traitor Amanda. He revealed that enduring such an experience “bonds you for life.”
He later shared insights into his ongoing relationship with the much-admired host. “We still chat on Instagram today. We’re still popping her messages and she’ll ask how we are. She’s just been doing Strictly, so I would pop up to her Instagram story and say, ‘Absolutely smashing Strictly,’ and she’ll respond, ‘I’m loving it’.”
“I think she’s more of an emoji kind of gal. We’ve shared a few love hearts and winking faces. She’s a very busy woman, so it means a lot that she takes the time out of her day to respond.”
Wrapping up the conversation, Theo shared a touching story about a kind deed from the TV personality: “I have a cheerleading club, and I asked her if she could send a message for all my athletes. She kindly agreed and sent a video wishing my athletes good luck during competition season. I can’t speak highly enough of her.”
The Traitors returns tonight at 8pm on BBC1 and iPlayer