Actor Sebastian Croft Emerges as Breakout Star of "Celebrity Traitors"

Sebastian Croft, a 24-year-old actor and singer, has unexpectedly become a breakout star after winning the BBC competition "The Celebrity Traitors." Croft, who had a minor role in "Game of Thrones" and gained recognition for his part in the Netflix series "Heartstopper," triumphed alongside comedian Romesh Ranganathan, surprising many who underestimated him among a cast that included established figures like Richard E. Grant and Jerry Hall.

Croft described his victory as "just incredible" and "the best day of my life." His success comes after a dedicated pursuit of a performing arts career, having attended acting academies since the age of seven.

His parents' commitment to his burgeoning career was evident when they purchased an adjacent flat in London's Covent Garden during his teenage years, placing him closer to the West End theaters where he began performing. His mother, Doulla, a former Green Party candidate, recounted joking that it was quicker for them to use their own facilities during show intervals than to queue at the theater.

Croft's stage debut was in a 2010 production of "Oliver!" at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, followed by a role in "Les Miserables" the next year. His family's financial stability, with his father John co-founding a legal services company generating approximately £100 million in annual revenue, supported his education at St. Edward's boarding school in Oxford, where fees can reach up to £62,000 per year. He later attended Mander Portman Woodward, a sixth-form college costing £35,000 annually.

While Croft's £41,500 share of the prize money will be donated to the charity Choose Love, which supports LGBT refugees globally, his upbringing was marked by personal challenges. He spoke of a difficult period at St. Edward's after being outed by a fellow student, which led him to leave the school at 16. He described this time as "really lonely and difficult."

Beyond "Celebrity Traitors," Croft has a notable television and film presence. His role as young Eddard Stark in "Game of Thrones" preceded film appearances in "Horrible Histories: The Movie." However, his most prominent role to date has been as Ben Hope in the 2022 Netflix series "Heartstopper." While Croft has largely kept his personal life private, recent reports indicate he previously dated his "Heartstopper" co-star Joe Locke. He is currently single and focusing on upcoming projects, including the release of his debut EP, "The Great Forever," and a new podcast, "The Sunday Scaries With Bash Croft."