Wilfred Webster, the ultimate Traitor from the first series of the BBC gameshow, has praised James Acaster's 'method acting' approach, while also offering cautionary advice. The comedian, who is playing a Faithful by day and a Traitor by night, has so far succeeded in fooling the remaining Faithful, immersing himself in the role of detective during daylight hours before transforming into a duplicitous killer after dark.
Wilf's advice for the Traitors
Speaking to Mecca Bingo, Wilf acknowledged that James was conducting a shrewd game, explaining: "If you're a Traitor, playing the game as a Faithful during the day and not a Traitor until you put that cloak on is the best way to play it. I did exactly the same, I just got on with my day and had a laugh. The best way for me to put it is that it's like method acting."
He continued: "I remember genuinely looking for Traitors as a Faithful, but obviously I was a Traitor, but you'd look for little signs that people were doing stuff, so when people would come and ask you a question about that person, you can be like, 'What do you think of them? They're being a bit suspicious', and you'll be like, 'Yeah, I've seen them do this which is a bit weird'. You still play the game as a Faithful, knowing that you're a Traitor. It's a really weird headspace to get into."
Warning against planting seeds
Wilf proceeded to offer advice for James, Maya Jama and Professor Hannah Fry, starting with: "Don't start the suspicion yourself." He explained: "There's a saying between Traitors that's been said over the last two or three years, I don't know who came up with it, but it's, 'Don't be someone to plant the seeds, but be someone to water them', so it's in terms of if you're the person giving out names all the time, it can end up coming back to you."
He additionally cautioned the Traitors against replicating James's approach of raising Michael Sheen's name, stating: "Let someone else introduce the name but if you're there and somebody mentions a name, then you can get involved in the conversation because if it ever comes back to someone, it will go back to that person and not you."
Further advice and James's hopes
Wilf continued by advising the Traitors against making their own teammates anxious, explaining: "If you make your fellow traitors worried about your behaviour, it can mean that they could backstab you if they get the chance. When it's so early in the game, it's better to stay in a much more relaxed lane, let other people have their say and sort of just blend in as much as you can."
Prior to the series launching, James had expressed his enthusiasm about participating, telling the BBC: "I just love it. I'm a huge fan and have been since series one. I instantly got addicted to it when I started watching." He continued by stating he hoped to be a Faithful, saying: "I'd like to be a Faithful. This is the only time I'll be able to play it, and I like being in a position of figuring something out rather than having the information the Traitors have."
When questioned about his chances of victory, James responded: "I have genuinely no idea at all. Because every time I watch any of the series there seems to be no rhyme or reason. Anyone could get to the end. You can avoid murder or banishment by simply not being respected enough to be seen as a threat. And I think I could very easily be seen as not a threat. Yeah, I could be there to the end. It's anyone's game really."
The Celebrity Traitors returns tonight at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
