Former The Traitors star Paul Gorton has denied that 'unconscious bias' plays a role in banishments on the popular BBC series, comparing it to being ginger.
His comments follow Myha'la Herrold's exit from Celebrity Traitors, where she voiced concerns about 'unconscious racial and cultural bias' on the show. The Industry actress was responding to a fan and explained that she 'sealed her own fate' by winking at Richard E. Grant, but acknowledged she 'clocked' how 'prevalent' the racial bias was.
Paul Gorton's defence of banishments
Following an appearance on Uncloaked – the Ed Gamble-hosted debrief spin-off – Paul, 39, gave his view on banishments to GB News. 'It's unconscious bias, so when you're talking about unconscious things, there probably are things that we all do in day-to-day life that have unconscious biases (but) whether that plays a part inside of The Traitors, I don't think it does,' he explained.
Paul reasoned that the 'Big Dog Theory' is a type of unconscious bias on the Celebrity version, where those who are known to be clever or vocal are banished. He added: 'You have murderers, and you are told that you can lie and cheat and deceive and coerce and all of these gruesome things, and that's part of the reality that you live in and it's all fine.'
Comparing bias to being ginger
'So people are gonna be doing things that they wouldn't do in normal society,' he said. He reasoned that unconscious bias is 'way down the rung' compared to up-front lying or other suspicious behaviour.
'I could say because I was such a big personality people came at me,' he continued. 'I could say it was because I'm ginger. I could say it because I'm really tall, I could say because I was voted most popular… You can find anything that comes back to you.'
Paul appeared on the second series of The Traitors as a traitor and survived until being banished in episode eight. He concluded by telling Myha'la, 30, that being murdered or banished is really a 'compliment' as it means you're a threat or people think you're clever.
Myha'la Herrold's response
The debate was sparked after entrepreneur Chantel Sachanna commented on Myha'la's exit post: 'Unfortunately, you were banished because you are BLACK. This is a consistent thread in this racist show.'
The Bodies Bodies Bodies star replied: 'I sealed my own fate! And that early in the game there is VERY little to grasp on to, and I gave them…a lot. However, I do agree that unconscious racial and cultural bias exists in this game where my authenticity or honesty or the ways in which I choose to express myself look suspicious to people who are unfamiliar with people like me.'
She admitted coming into the game she had a 'fear' as, having been a big fan for years, she was aware of the 'prevalent' bias. 'I'm not saying it's right, I'm not saying racism doesn't exist, but I do have to defend my dear friends on this show who in no way consciously put bias on me because of my race,' Myha'la concluded.
'That's not a fair or complete assessment of what really happened in my case. And! I do think games like this should allow more conversation around unconscious bias and how, when under pressure, people (society) gravitate towards things they know and understand or subsequently push away from things they don't. It's all love, and I REALLY genuinely appreciate your support.'
Myha'la, who was a faithful, was banished in episode three at the first round table after Richard was caught. The Celebrity Traitors continues tomorrow night on BBC One and is available to watch now on iPlayer.
