Ex-traitor Linda says celebrity ‘can’t be worse than me’

A former Traitors contestant said she “couldn’t believe” the “cheeky” comment by a celebrity who said he feared his reaction to being chosen made him “worse than Linda”.

Linda Rands, from Hitchin in Hertfordshire, became a much-loved character in series three of the hit BBC show for her “over the top” reaction that almost gave her away as a traitor.

On Wednesday, a new celebrity version saw three famous names chosen to secretly “kill off” the remaining cast – known as faithfuls – while remaining undetected.

“I didn’t think anybody could be worse than me, so I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Linda told the BBC.

Warning: The rest of this article contains spoilers for Celebrity Traitors.

Linda shot to fame at the very beginning of series three, moments after she was secretly chosen to become a traitor at the first round table.

When host Claudia Winkleman said “Traitors!”, Linda instantly lifted her head and almost gave herself away.

“My thing was to go under the radar, and I think I’ve pole-vaulted over it,” said comedian Alan Carr, who was picked as a traitor alongside presenter Jonathan Ross and pop star Cat Burns on Wednesday’s opening episode.

Carr spoke to the camera about what it was like trying to act normally in the castle among the group of faithfuls.

“I was just laughing, I’m like ‘I’m not a traitor’. But oh God. I’m worse than Linda. I am worse than Linda.”

He added: “I’m so excited to be working with Cat and Jonathan – but I’ve got a nervous disposition and this whole game plays on your nerves.”

Linda said: “I couldn’t believe it, I thought, ‘Cheeky to say that about me!’

“I was quite shocked by the fact that he brought my name up – that he even knew who I was.”

She said Carr’s behaviour “could go for or against him”.

“He’s totally himself, I think he’s always like that.

“I think he has to be very careful, as I have the feeling he might make a slip up.

“On the other hand, he might be just like me. I managed to get quite far, because most people did not believe I was a traitor because I was so over the top.”

Referring to her most classic moments in series three, Linda advised the collaborators to watch what they say.

“Don’t be over-the-top crying at the breakfast table, or turn your head when they say the word ‘traitors!’,” she said.