Singer-songwriter Cat Burns has revealed how appearing on The Traitors changed her life after she spoke openly about her autism and ADHD during the show. She became one of the most talked-about stars of the BBC's first Celebrity Traitors after being selected as one of Claudia Winkleman's original Traitors.
Although she reached the final before being caught, her candid conversations about neurodivergence had a lasting impact beyond the castle. At a tense round table, Cat opened up to fellow contestant Stephen Fry about how her autism and ADHD affect her daily life, including needing time away after being surrounded by people.
Overwhelmed by response
Since the show aired, she says she has been overwhelmed by the reaction: "Especially since the show coming out, and with people thanking my vulnerability, I didn't realise how important it was."
"I know it's always important to speak about it. But I think I have the privilege of working for myself and being in control a little bit more. So I'm able to talk about these things openly," she added.
"Whereas maybe other autistic people or people with ADHD in more of a corporate work space might struggle to speak up about that because maybe their needs aren't being met in the same way."
Ambassador role and connection with fans
Cat, who was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021 and autism in 2023, has since become a Celebrity Ambassador for the National Autistic Society. She has also been recognised by disability charity Scope for using her platform to talk about ADHD and autism.
She says some of the messages she has received have stayed with her: "I've definitely connected a lot more with parents, I've noticed. Parents of neurodiverse kids."
One particular message stuck in her mind: "'Oh, my gosh. I really saw myself in you when watching the show, and I see myself in your music that you write'. Those ones always fill me up the most, because I would have loved to have had someone like that when I was that age."
Looking ahead to the next series
Despite the intensity of being thrust further into the spotlight, Cat says the reaction has largely been lovely: "It's definitely become more intense now. It's people saying 'I love you on the show' and everyone's being really sweet so I can't complain."
Having survived one series of backstabbing, banishments and round-table warfare, Cat is ready to watch the next crop of famous faces take on the castle when The Celebrity Traitors returns on October 1. She reckons there should be a comedian among the Traitors, saying: "Well, a comedian has to be a traitor, don't they? There's so many comedians in this lineup."
Her pick is Romesh Ranganathan: "I would love more of a deadpan comedian so I think Romesh would be incredible," she said. She has also spotted another potential snake: "I also think Maya would be a great traitor because no one knows that much about her."
