Ellie Buckley for The Traitors UK S4 / BBC
Age: 33
From: London
Occupation: Psychologist
Why did you apply to take part in the show?
“I think it is so psychologically interesting. I’ve watched it, and I love analysing what everyone’s doing and thinking through why they’re convinced that they know something, when to the viewer, they’re quite clearly wrong. I had to get involved, I had to understand it and get in there and play the game.”
Do you have a gameplan?
“I’m hoping to be a Traitor, but I think it’s absolutely about trying to form bonds with people early on, because we know that voting around the Round Table isn’t just about who’s suspicious, it’s also about the bonds that you’ve made with people. So that’s kind of the plan, to try and befriend everyone and see how that goes. I am also going to be hiding my occupation as I don’t want people to make assumptions about me.”
What will you bring to the game?
“Hopefully I’m going to be able to use all my psychological techniques to play the game as well as possible, whether I’m a Traitor or a Faithful, whether that’s building up relationships with people, or deceiving people and concealing how I really feel.”
Are you competitive when you’re playing games with friends and family?
“Definitely, I love to play a board game. My favourite one is Cluedo, because I like guessing what everyone’s thinking when they’re looking at their cards. Whenever I’m playing a game with someone, I’m always watching their face, following their facial expressions, and it’s the same with poker; I always look for what they are telling me with their body language as well as what they’re saying.”
How would you spend the prize money?
“It’s going straight towards buying a flat. I live in London but can’t afford to buy a flat, so that’s what I’ll be doing!”
The Traitors continues Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8pm on BBC One.
