Joe Wilkinson was one of the standout stars of the first series of Celebrity Traitors, but the actor and comedian has admitted he was ‘out of his depth’ on the BBC show
Robin Cottle Assistant Editor Trendswatch
15:59, 16 Nov 2025
One Celebrity Traitors contestant admitted one thing dawned on him early on (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/Artwork – BBC Creative)
One Celebrity Traitors contestant admitted that he realised early on in the show that his strategy was flawed.
Actor and comedian Joe Wilkinson, 50, who became a fan favourite before being killed off in episode six, confessed to the Sunday Times: “I didn’t have a strategy. That dawned on me quite early on when people were going: ‘What’s your strategy.'”
Wilkinson, who has since appeared in the Waitrose Christmas advert alongside Keira Knightley, has seen his profile rise significantly following his stint on the BBC series.
His friendship with ex-England rugby player Joe Marler was a highlight of the show, and the contestants continue to stay in touch via a WhatsApp group.
Wilkinson also revealed that he felt like he was in Madame Tussauds on the first day of filming due to being starstruck by his fellow contestants, reports Wales Online.
Celebrity Traitors contestant Joe Wilkinson(Image: BBC)
Other celebrities who participated include Alan Carr, who won the series, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, Celia Imrie, Clare Balding and Tom Davey.
Wilkinson joked that the celebrity line-up for next year’s show will be even more impressive, quipping: “You’ll just be like: ‘What is Sylvester Stallone doing?'”
Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler has opened up about the heartbreak he and his partner, Daisy, experienced during filming of the popular show, when Daisy’s grandmother passed away.
Joe appeared on the inaugural series of Celebrity Traitors (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
The 35 year old former sportsman was a standout on the show, making it all the way to the final episode before being ousted.
However, he revealed that the personal tragedy almost led him to leave the show early, if not for his wife’s encouragement to stay.
He also shared how the sad news motivated him to push harder in the competition, leading to his notorious combative behaviour on the show. “Daisy’s nan died halfway through filming,” he disclosed to The Times.
Joe Wilkinson and Keira Knightley on the Waitrose Christmas advert
“The producers already knew she was terminally ill, so I went to them and said: ‘That’s me done.’
“They were great – I was leaving. Then Daisy rang back and said, ‘Look, there’s not a lot you can do right now, so just stay up there until you get kicked out. That was the moment that I was like, right, I’ve had enough of this impostor syndrome. I’m gonna ramp it up, go hell for leather and if I get banished or murdered, it’s a win – I can go home.”
