James Baker, 38, has been named as a contestant for the show’s fourth series which got underway last night on BBC One.
Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, The Traitors sees the faithful attempting to root out a small group of Traitors to secure for themselves the cash prize of up to £120,000.
Filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, the murder mystery game show, described as a ‘tense psychological adventure’, has been one of the BBC’s biggest hits since it first launched.
In an interview with the BBC prior to the show getting underway, James described it as a ‘beautiful lovechild of Midsomer Murders and poker’ and said he has a ‘desire to play the game well’.
He told the BBC: “I am an anorak. I love the show, but I didn’t start watching The Traitors until the second series because people nagged me.
“I used to play a lot of poker, and it has similarities, especially the Round Table. I have a desire to play the game well. Not in an arrogant way, but in a confident way, I think I could do this.
“So, I’m here with a passion for the game and sort of geeky vibes, I think that’s what drew me to it. It’s like a beautiful lovechild of Midsomer Murders and poker.”
When asked what he thinks he can bring to the game, he told of his experience playing live music which will make him ‘good at working the crowd’.
He added: “I have ADHD, and it’s blindingly obvious I do. I will bring this sort of vibe where it looks like I’m a bouncy Duracell bunny, like a happy go lucky class clown, maybe jovial chap.
“I always say this, people think there’s a monkey bashing symbols in my head when they first meet me, but they underestimate at their peril, because there’s actually a huge hamster with a massive ear and an antenna up on its back at all times. I’m always analysing and processing.
James admitted that he ‘definitely’ wants to be a Traitor and said it would ‘exhilarating’ if picked, but if not he would ‘try and seduce the Traitors into seducing me’.
The 38-year-old gardener admits he is competitive and enjoys crosswords and sudokus over board games.
During the show, Traitors and Faithfuls take part in group challenges called Missions where they work together to win gold for the shared prize pot – but the Traitor has a secret, individual assignment to sabotage or gain an advantage.
When asked how he would perform in these tasks, James said: “I would try and be the best person at the Missions, especially if I’m a Faithful because then I offer something to the Traitors and the group.
“I’d like to think I’d excel at the Missions where it’s physical. I’d bring loads of energy, enthusiasm, determination and it’d be a good release from the tension of the game too.”
James also believes his poker playing skills will come in handy.
He added: “Yes. It sounds arrogant, I know, but I was mildly successful playing poker. I was even nicknamed ‘The Librarian’ by a few people because I have this innate ability to read people like a book. I won’t be telling people that in the castle, but I will use that to my advantage. There’s stuff you pick up on playing cards which will help me whether Traitor or Faithful.”
The 38-year-old admitted that if he wasn’t selected as a Traitor, he would ‘play dumb’ so that he was ‘not deemed to be a threat’ and try and get friendly with a Traitor to be kept in the game.
When asked how he would spend the money if he won the show, James revealed he would ‘spend it on my family’ and take them on holiday.
He also wants to buy a camper van or a motor home too and help pay for his stepdaughter’s car as she is learning to drive.
You can catch up and watch the first episode now on BBC Iplayer.
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