Joe Wilkinson, the actor and comedian who became a fan favourite on the first series of BBC's Celebrity Traitors, has made a surprising confession about his time on the show. The 50-year-old star admitted he felt completely 'out of his depth' and realised early on that his approach was fundamentally flawed.
The Moment of Realisation
In a candid interview with the Sunday Times, Wilkinson revealed the truth behind his game plan. "I didn't have a strategy," he confessed. "That dawned on me quite early on when people were going: 'What's your strategy?'" This lack of a clear plan didn't stop him from becoming one of the standout personalities of the series, though his journey was cut short when he was 'killed off' in episode six.
Life After The Traitors
Despite his early exit, Wilkinson's profile has soared since his appearance on the hit BBC programme. He has since landed a prestigious role in the Waitrose Christmas advert alongside Keira Knightley, marking a significant career highlight. The comedian also reflected on the star-studded nature of the experience, joking that he felt like he was in Madame Tussauds on the first day of filming due to being starstruck by his fellow contestants.
His friendship with former England rugby player Joe Marler became one of the show's most memorable dynamics, and the cast members continue to stay connected through a dedicated WhatsApp group. Other celebrities who participated in the inaugural series included winner Alan Carr, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, Celia Imrie, Clare Balding, and Tom Davey.
Personal Tragedy Behind the Scenes
In a separate revelation, Joe Marler opened up about the personal heartbreak he endured during filming. The 35-year-old former sportsman, who made it to the final episode before being ousted, disclosed that his partner Daisy's grandmother passed away halfway through production.
Marler was ready to leave the show immediately, telling producers, 'That's me done.' However, after a conversation with his wife, who encouraged him to stay until he was 'kicked out', he found a new motivation. This personal tragedy fuelled his notoriously combative behaviour in the latter stages of the competition, as he decided to 'ramp it up' and go 'hell for leather'.
Looking to the future, Wilkinson quipped about the potential celebrity line-up for next year's show, suggesting viewers might be asking: "What is Sylvester Stallone doing?" His experience on Celebrity Traitors, while initially daunting, has undoubtedly opened new doors in his career and created lasting connections with his fellow contestants.
