Cloaks at the ready - The Traitors is back!
After a seemingly-interminable wait, Claudia Winkleman has returned to her Scottish castle to welcome a new group of 22 strangers to play the ultimate game of deception. Who will become The Traitors and who are The Faithfuls?
Read on for a profile of contestant Andrew....
© BBC
Andrew
Age: 45
From: Talbot Green
Occupation: Insurance Broker
Why did you apply for the show?
"I loved last year's show, I was really immersed in it and just loved the format. I like the game play and thought I could be good at it. Over the last couple of years, I've been going through a personal growth journey where I've been trying to learn a lot about myself - I've grown a lot. I want to step out of my comfort zone. I've been a Steady Eddy all my life I suppose, never taking any risks or challenges. You only have one life, and I know that more than anyone because I suffered a serious accident many years ago. Your life is short, and it can get taken away at any moment. I live my life as best I can and take as many opportunities as possible that come my way.
"I never thought I'd get on the show in a million years. I'd like to inspire thousands of people out there who've maybe had a traumatic experience or suffered with their mental health. I want to inspire people and give them hope. To tell them that if you keep fighting and believing you will get to your dreams."
What is your game plan?
"I sort of have a game plan. After watching the contestants last year, I think you've got to have a game plan going in there, but I do like to adapt to the situation in front of me. I have worked in close protection security, so I looked after a lot of VIPs in London. This meant I had to be on my toes, be alert, and be able to adapt at the drop of a hat. So yes, I do think you've got to have some form of game plan when you go in, but I think you've got to be able to change that as the game develops."
Would you make a good Traitor?
"I'll do whatever it takes, within reason. I don't mind throwing people under the bus, it's me or them at the end of the day. I'll just think of my family, my son, I want to make them proud and I want a better life for them. I'm a nice person deep down and when my family are watching on the TV, they will know the real me. They know me, they know my morals and that I'm a nice person. On The Traitors, you're just playing a game, a game that you have to get totally immersed in."
What would you spend the prize money on?
"I'd pay off a couple of debts and the usual boring stuff. But my dream is that I'd love to help people. I would like to set up some form of business. I love the gym, I love coaching, I love physical stuff. The gym is my safe haven. It's been my happy place for the last 20 odd years. I'd like to do something like personal training but also help people with their mental health. My NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) qualification means I'll be a qualified coach. I want to try and intertwine the two, look after people's physical health and mental health together. I'd love to get out of bed in the morning and change people's lives.
"I believe I have an inspiring story; I was pronounced dead on the side of the road 23 years ago and I was in a coma for nearly five weeks. My parents were told I'd never walk ever again, I had brain damage and that there's a chance of me not waking up from my coma. My parents were told that if I did wake up, I'd never walk, talk or use my arms again and I may not recognise them. They were told to prepare for the worst. There's lots of things that happened to me, and the doctors call me a miracle patient.
"I met the man who saved my life last year. I met him and I shook his hand and said thank you for saving my life. There are not many people out there who get a chance to see somebody who saved their life and say thank you. It was a very emotional thing.
"I've had hundreds of people messaging me to say that they found my story inspiring and that's led them to open up and start talking to their family. I want to inspire people, I believe I can inspire thousands and hopefully, with this exposure, millions of people. I think I've only just scratched the surface of this, and I want to continue that really."
The Traitors series two begins Wednesday, January 3 at 9pm on BBC One.
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