Meryl Williams, the breakout star from the inaugural season of BBC's hit reality show The Traitors, has openly discussed her aspirations to join the cast of Celebs Go Dating. The 29-year-old, who triumphed alongside Hannah Byczkowski and Aaron Evans in December 2022, credits her victory with fundamentally altering her personal and professional trajectory.
A New Chapter Post-Traitors
Reflecting on the past three years, Meryl detailed the profound impact of her £33,000 prize money. This financial windfall granted her the autonomy to resign from her call centre position in Scotland, relocate from Edinburgh to London, and pursue long-contemplated cosmetic procedures. She emphasised that the monetary reward exceeded her annual income at the time, though she admitted the potential win only became a tangible reality around the tenth episode of the competition.
Dating Fears and Future Hopes
In a candid conversation, Meryl revealed she has never been in a romantic relationship, a situation she attributes to a deep-seated fear of being fetishised due to her dwarfism. "It's my biggest fear, so I've just never put myself out there," she explained. Her upbringing by a single mother, who instilled a strong sense of independence, also played a significant role. Now, as she approaches her 30th birthday, Meryl is actively considering entering the dating world, making Celebs Go Dating a potentially ideal platform.
Reality TV Ambitions and Traitors Return
Beyond the dating sphere, Meryl expressed enthusiasm for other challenging reality formats, including I'm A Celebrity... and Race Across The World. She also voiced a strong desire to participate in a hypothetical All Stars edition of The Traitors, but with a crucial twist: she would want to assume the role of a Traitor. Having closely analysed four subsequent seasons and the celebrity version, she feels strategically prepared for the deceptive role, contrasting her initial experience as a Faithful.
Cosmetic Surgery and Confidence Journey
A portion of her winnings was allocated to forehead reduction surgery, addressing a long-held insecurity. Meryl has been transparent about this and subsequent procedures, including breast implants and an uplift, on social media. Her openness stems from a desire to inform and support others considering similar operations. She underwent a breast reduction at age 16 due to proportionality issues, and these latest surgeries have, in her words, granted her a "new lease of confidence." Meryl asserts she is now content with her appearance and has no further surgical plans.
Life in London and Advocacy Work
Now settled in London with her mother, grandmother, and three dogs, Meryl describes feeling "content" and living the life she envisioned. Her days are spent volunteering as an ambassador for Borders Pet Rescue, a Scottish animal rescue centre, and working as a content creator. She frequently collaborates with comedian Fats Timbo, who also has dwarfism, to create humorous yet educational videos about their shared experiences. "It's a sly way of educating without educating," Meryl noted, highlighting how these videos gently challenge public perceptions and patronising behaviours.
Reflections on The Traitors Legacy
Watching the latest series of The Traitors evoked strong memories for Meryl, though she observed the game has intensified significantly. "The missions are harder, the round table's a lot more tense," she remarked, noting that contestants now enter with sophisticated game plans. She believes the dynamic among Faithfuls has become more aggressive compared to her season, which was characterised by genuine friendships that have endured. Meryl's one regret was not "listening enough" during the original game, realising in hindsight she missed key clues amidst the chaos.
Adjusting to Fame and Praise for Support
The transition to public recognition was initially challenging, particularly in distinguishing between stares related to her stature and those due to her television fame. However, she praised the comprehensive aftercare provided by the BBC, including access to a welfare team and advance warnings about potentially inflammatory broadcast content. She also reserved special commendation for host Claudia Winkleman, describing her as "lovely" and genuinely interested in the contestants as individuals.
As Meryl Williams continues to navigate her rising profile, she remains committed to using her platform for advocacy, aiming to increase visibility and understanding of dwarfism in the media landscape.
