A former champion of deception from the BBC's hit show The Traitors has dissected the crucial mistake that led to the early downfall of contestant Hugo in the latest series.
The Fatal Career Revelation
Paul Gorton, the iconic traitor from the show's second season in 2024, has exclusively revealed to BirminghamLive that Hugo's decision to tell fellow players he was a barrister was a catastrophic error. Paul, who famously sailed through to episode eight, stated Hugo had "one thousand percent" made a misstep.
He explained that people often make quick, and incorrect, judgements based on someone's profession. "When we think of barristers, we think of barristers from television," Paul said, speaking on behalf of Which Bingo. He noted that because Hugo did not match the aggressive, forthright stereotype of a TV barrister, his quieter demeanour ironically made him look more suspicious to the group.
Learning from Past Mistakes
Paul pointed to another example to underline his point: the downfall of actor Mark Bonnar in the Celebrity Traitors series. The assumption there was that an actor would naturally be skilled at deception, painting a target on his back.
Reflecting on his own winning strategy, Paul advised that the correct approach is to be deliberately vague. "[When I was on the show] I told people I worked in telecoms. I didn't say I work in corporate strategy," he shared. He believes contestants who specify impressive job titles are trying to signal their intelligence, which ultimately backfires.
The Golden Rule for Survival
Paul Gorton's advice for any aspiring traitor is blunt. "Anyone that tells anybody how clever they are will be banished and you will be killed," he warned. The key to longevity in the game is twofold:
- Conceal your true self: "You've got to fake who you are for at least half the show."
- Build strong alliances: "You've got to build your friendship group because your mates will keep you in the show."
Ultimately, Hugo's banishment serves as a stark lesson in the psychological gameplay of The Traitors, where perception often trumps reality. The Traitors continues tonight on BBC One and iPlayer at 8pm.
