Sebastian Croft's Wealthy Background and Early Career Revealed Amid "Celebrity Traitors" Win
The "Celebrity Traitors" champion comes from a financially secure background, with his parents having invested significantly in his early acting career.
Actor and singer Sebastian Croft has emerged as the breakout star of "The Celebrity Traitors," winning the BBC competition alongside comedian Romesh Ranganathan. Croft, 24, previously had minor roles in "Game of Thrones" and gained recognition for his part in the Netflix series "Heartstopper."
While fans may have underestimated Croft, his success on the show comes after a deliberate investment in his theatrical education from a young age. His parents moved to a flat in Covent Garden when he was a teenager to place him closer to the West End theatre district. His mother, Doulla Croft, who ran as a Green Party candidate in Kensington and Chelsea, has noted the convenience, joking that it was quicker for them to return home during theatre intervals than to use the venue's facilities.
Croft's early career included West End roles in "Oliver!" in 2010 and as Gavroche in "Les Miserables" the following year. His father, John Croft, is a co-founder of Elevate, a legal services company reportedly generating around £100 million in annual revenue.
Croft attended St. Edward's boarding school in Oxford, with annual fees reaching up to £62,000, after previously attending the Dragon School. The £41,500 share of the "Traitors" prize money he won will be donated to the charity Choose Love, which supports LGBTQ+ refugees globally.
The actor has spoken about experiencing difficulties at St. Edward's after being outed by a fellow student, which led to his departure at age 16. He later completed his A-levels at Mander Portman Woodward, a sixth-form college in Kensington.
Following his education, Croft appeared as young Eddard Stark in "Game of Thrones" and made his film debut in "Horrible Histories: The Movie." His role as Ben Hope in "Heartstopper" brought him broader recognition.
Croft is set to release his debut EP, "The Great Forever," this month, and has launched a weekly podcast, "The Sunday Scaries With Bash Croft." He was recently reported to have dated his "Heartstopper" co-star Joe Locke, but is currently single and focusing on his upcoming projects.