The Traitors made a dramatic return to our screens on January 1, instantly captivating its audience with unexpected departures and a colourful cast.
Among the line-up is former opera singer and one of the game’s Traitors, Linda Rands. The 70-year-old Hertfordshire native has quickly become an internet sensation, with fans sharing clips of her antics from the show’s first episodes across social media platforms.
The hit series sees 25 competitors vying for a cash prize that could reach £120,000. The show’s host, 52-year-old Claudia Winkleman, stealthily selects Traitors while the rest are dubbed Faithfuls.
As the Traitors covertly ‘murder’ other players, it’s up to the Faithfuls to identify and exile them often mistakenly banishing their own and allowing the real Traitors to evade detection.
This season introduced three Traitors, but following the dramatic expulsion of 27-year-old Armani, only two remain. Despite this, viewers have been quick to mock one of the remaining Traitors for her less-than-convincing ‘GCSE drama’ level performance, reports Wales Online.
In the season’s opening episode, Linda gave herself away when she inadvertently looked up at Claudia as soon as the word ‘Traitors’ was mentioned, immediately arousing suspicion from fellow contestant Jake. This gaffe endeared Linda to the audience, who have since celebrated her blunder on TikTok, with one fan declaring: “I don’t care who wins, she’s an icon.”
Viewers of the hit show have been left stunned at how Linda has managed to stay in the game despite some toe-curling moments that have led fans to label her a ‘terrible’ Traitor. One such instance is the now infamous scene where she feigns shock the morning after a Faithful’s elimination, exclaiming, “Oh my god, who the HELL is not going to come back?”
Despite her less-than-convincing performances and facing several accusations during the Round Table discussions, this Traitor has dodged banishment time and again, managing to remain in the competition.
The BBC didn’t miss a beat, promptly putting up a billboard in Leicester Square showcasing Linda with a mock award, emblazoned with ‘The performance of a lifetime award. ‘ Even Specsavers has weighed in on the fun, posting a comment on a TikTok video of the billboard: “Faithfuls would see this and still believe her.”
It remains to be seen if Linda can keep flying under the radar, but it’s clear her flair for the dramatic isn’t limited to the show.
Opera career
As the internet buzzes with chatter about their favourite The Traitors personality, one fan unearthed a clip from Linda’s opera-singing past in a TikTok video, showing a young Linda almost unrecognisable as she performs in a 1982 London staging of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto.
The throwback video has resurfaced online, but those interested can view the entire performance on YouTube, where Linda is listed as ‘Un paggio’ in the video description.One viewer left a warm comment, writing: ” My tutor used to do wigs for an opera house and worked with her! Apparently a very lovely and typical theatre kind of eccentric (in a good way).”
Another fan, clearly impressed, chimed in: “Linda the LEGEND. I’m waiting for her to drop an album, tbh.” Meanwhile, another added their fondness: “I love her even more now.”
Despite her not-so-subtle efforts to fly under the radar, Linda’s act remains convincing enough to keep her in the mix. The departure of devoted ex-faithful Tyler from the show saw him utterly gobsmacked upon realising that Linda was stealthily playing the Traitor role.
Upon witnessing Linda’s name, Tyler couldn’t hold back his amusement, declaring: “Oh my god. She’s playing a good game,” according to a clip by the Daily Mail.
As Faithful players grow more suspicious of Linda, the downfall of her role as a secret Traitor leaves fans on the edge of their seats. You can watch Linda in The Traitors at 9pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays until the finale on January 24.
The Traitors continues tonight at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer