The explosive first civilian season of The Traitors continues to make headlines as contestant Kieran Tompsett has broken his silence on the game-changing moment that forced producers to rewrite the rules. His controversial 'parting gift' revelation not only secured £101,050 for the Faithfuls but created what would become a BAFTA TV moment of the year.
The Moment That Changed Everything
Kieran Tompsett, a consultant from Hertfordshire, became the centre of a national debate during the 2022 finale when he exposed fellow contestant Wilfred as the final Traitor with a single, telling look. This occurred after Wilfred had recruited Kieran as a Traitor, only to then encourage the other players to vote him out at the final roundtable.
In what viewers later branded as 'cheating', Tompsett stated: 'I've done all I can, I'm so happy for you,' while directing his gaze toward Wilfred - effectively revealing his true identity to the remaining Faithfuls. The move proved decisive, allowing Aaron and the other Faithfuls to claim the entire prize fund.
No Rules Were Broken
Speaking in partnership with Slingo, Kieran defended his actions, insisting that his controversial move 'wasn't a rule at the time' and therefore couldn't be considered cheating. The BBC was forced to release an official statement confirming no rules had been broken, though they have since implemented adjustments to prevent similar stunts in future seasons.
'A show psychologist said it was one of the smartest moves that could have been made,' Kieran revealed. 'I was thinking I can change people's lives. If I didn't do what I'd done, the outcome was inevitable.'
He estimates that public opinion was divided approximately 30/70 between those who considered it cheating versus those who didn't, and proudly notes that the moment contributed to the show winning a BAFTA.
Lasting Impact and Celebrity Success
Reflecting on his legacy, Kieran stated he has 'no regrets about the way I played the game' and believes the moment 'made that show'. He maintains that his actions actually saved Wilfred from receiving significant criticism had he won through what Kieran viewed as betrayal.
The revelations come hot on the heels of Celebrity Traitors being renewed for a second season after the record-breaking first series attracted more than 14 million viewers who watched Alan Carr claim victory. The BBC has confirmed that both the celebrity edition and its companion show Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked will return in 2026, with Claudia Winkleman returning as host.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC's head of entertainment, announced: 'In 2026 the doors of the castle will be opened again to welcome celebrity players to the game to see who can charm, who can scheme and ultimately who can survive in series two.'
Despite not winning the prize money himself, Kieran describes his participation as 'one of the highlights of his life' and a experience that 'changed my life'. He acknowledges that while the rules have been adjusted to prevent exact replication of his move, similar dynamics will always be part of the game's psychological fabric.
