In a revealing interview that has captured the attention of reality television fans, a former contestant from the hit BBC series The Traitors has opened up about the profound impact host Claudia Winkleman had on the cast through her genuine kindness and thoughtful gestures.
Ross Garshong's Candid Reflections on Claudia Winkleman
Ross Garshong, a 37-year-old sales executive and personal trainer who was banished from the show in its fourth episode, shared his heartfelt views on Winkleman in a recent magazine feature. Despite his early exit from the competition, Garshong expressed nothing but admiration for the popular presenter, known for her roles on Strictly Come Dancing and as the enigmatic host of The Traitors.
The Gestures That 'Really Made a Difference'
Garshong disclosed to Closer magazine that Winkleman has maintained contact with all the cast members since filming concluded. He highlighted specific actions that left a lasting impression, stating, "Claudia has stayed in touch with all the cast. Just little touches, like namechecking us all at the show's premiere and following us on Instagram, have really made a difference."
These seemingly small gestures, according to Garshong, demonstrated Winkleman's authentic care for the contestants beyond their television roles, fostering a sense of community and support that extended well after the cameras stopped rolling.
High Praise for the Host's Character
In a particularly effusive comment, Garshong elaborated on Winkleman's character, remarking, "I feel like Claudia could be 20% of a d***h***, and we'd still love her - so for her to be 100% lovely is just amazing!" This statement underscores the deep affection and respect the contestants hold for the host, suggesting her warmth and professionalism are not just for show but integral to her personality.
Garshong's Journey on The Traitors
Reflecting on his own experience, Garshong admitted he "applied on a whim" to the show, which films at a now-iconic castle setting. Despite becoming the third person to be ousted, he expressed satisfaction with his performance, saying, "It's bittersweet. I thought to myself, 'Would you rather stay in longer and be in the background, or would you rather burn bright and go out in a blaze of glory?' And I genuinely feel like I did."
He added, "I'm really happy with myself; I don't think I could have done any better," indicating a positive outlook on his brief but memorable stint on the series.
Following his exit, it emerged that Garshong was in a relationship with fellow contestant Ellie, a detail fans reportedly pieced together from social media activity, as noted by the Radio Times.
Other Traitors Updates and Fan Reactions
In related news from The Traitors universe, Faithful contestant Roxy Wilson recently announced her pregnancy on social media, sharing a photo of her baby bump that garnered likes from both Claudia Winkleman and Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell.
The post, which featured Wilson in black-and-white striped pyjamas with her hair in a bun, was captioned with heart emojis and prompted an outpouring of supportive messages from fans. Comments included congratulations and well-wishes, such as "How wonderful, congratulations" and "Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy, Roxy."
Wilson's mother, Judy, had previously shared the happy news live on ITV's This Morning, revealing the baby is due on June 12 and marking her 12th grandchild.
As the series continues to captivate audiences, the next episode of The Traitors airs on BBC One and iPlayer, promising more suspense and drama from the popular reality competition.
