A Unique Experience in the Celebrity Traitors Castle
Clare Balding, a well-known broadcaster, has shared her experiences from being inside the Celebrity Traitors castle. According to her, the real challenge wasn’t about outwitting the Traitors but dealing with the dynamics of the table.
Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast before the series finale, Balding expressed that she found the show’s “pack mentality” hard to handle. She described the roundtable scenes as “cruel,” highlighting how the environment made her feel uncomfortable. “I find the whole environment where people are being set on each other very difficult,” she said. “I think you’re abnormal if you don’t find that! It’s tough.”
Balding also mentioned that contestants with a sporting background, including herself and Olympic diver Tom Daley, were often seen as less intelligent by their peers. “A lot of my friends are PE teachers, and they find they don’t get listened to, whereas the History or English teacher has status,” she explained. “Those roundtable situations where certain voices carry more votes — there are lots of factors behind that — but it’s real.”
She reflected on her early mistake in the first team challenge, where she accidentally locked in the wrong answer. “It was the most awful sensation. I just thought, ‘I’ve let everyone down,’” she recalled. “We still won the money, but I felt dreadful.”
Balding also spoke about fellow contestant Celia Imrie, who struggled with the game’s more ruthless aspects. “Celia said a number of times how cruel she thought it was,” she said. “She said it in her exit interview, but also to me early on. It is hugely engrossing - a fascinating study of human psychology, how people behave when they’re under pressure, and how difficult it is to defend yourself when you’re being attacked.”
Despite the challenges, there were moments of positivity in the castle. Balding praised England rugby star Joe Marler, believing he will “fly” after his appearance on the show. She even hinted at him potentially entering Hollywood. “What an amazing opportunity for people to see both Tom Daley and particularly Joe Marler,” she said. “I could see Joe getting parts in films after this. You know - Guy Ritchie films!”
Another memorable moment was when Celia Imrie accidentally let out a fart during a mission. Balding confirmed it wasn’t the first time. “She’d already done it in the car,” she laughed. “She said, ‘I’m sorry, darling, have I farted?’ I said, ‘Yes, you did.’ She said, ‘I just do it when I’m nervous!’”
The full interview with Clare Balding is available now on The Sports Agents podcast via Global Player, YouTube and all major platforms.
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