Paul Gorton, a notable contestant from "The Traitors," has shared his strategic insights for the upcoming celebrity edition of the show. Gorton, who was a Traitor from day one in the civilian series, recommends that the Faithfuls focus more intently on the game's tasks, as these often reveal crucial evidence about who is a Traitor.
"I think a lot of people miss the point of the tasks," Gorton stated in an interview with the Daily Mail. "As a Traitor, you're playing but you have to build relationships with people and I think people should be watching the tasks a lot more. A lot of evidence that's used at the round table is how people behave in the tasks, and it's the most excruciating thing."
He pointed to an instance in the civilian series where a player's actions during a task made their identity as a Traitor obvious, yet it went unaddressed by other contestants. Gorton believes the ultimate goal for any player, Faithful or Traitor, should be to survive until the end of the game.
"In my opinion, the point of The Traitors isn't to find Traitors. The point is to survive to the end. So if you do find a Traitor, you befriend them, you stay close to them, and you take them to the final, and then betray them," he explained. He suggests that players should immerse themselves in the group mentality and follow the majority.
Gorton, who admitted to reading "American Psycho" to prepare for his role as a Traitor, was ultimately banished in episode eight. He noted that while he played with a villainous approach, he doubts the celebrity contestants will exhibit similar levels of ruthlessness, fearing public opinion.
"It would be amazing to see a catastrophe in the celeb one," Gorton mused. "But I don't think anyone's going to be proper villainous, because I think, sadly, people are scared of public opinion." He added that contestants might also be motivated by the potential for career advancement following the show, a prospect less evident when he participated.
Despite his past actions, Gorton expressed openness to returning for an "All Stars" version of the show. He described the possibility of a cast of former Traitors competing against each other as a fascinating prospect.
The second season of "The Celebrity Traitors," featuring stars such as Jerry Hall, Maya Jama, and Richard E. Grant, is scheduled to premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8 PM on Thursday, October 1.