Scots actor Mark Bonnar has yet to be named at the round table on BBC’s Celebrity Traitors – could this hidden advantage help him win the entire show?
Mark Bonnar has a secret weapon that could see him winning the Celebrity Traitors (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
The Celebrity Traitors returns tonight on BBC One with another episode of lies, scheming and deception, and it seems one remaining celeb could be in a strong position to take the upper hand within the competition.
Last week Niko Omilana, Tom Daley, Tameka Empson, Ruth Codd and Clare Balding all left the competition, either falling victim to the Traitors or being sent home at the round table.
This leaves 13 celebrities still vying for the cash prize for charity, including three Traitors – Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns – who have yet to be uncovered by the Faithfuls.
Behavioural expert Darren Stanton has now weighed in on which celebrities might have an advantage in the castle, and it seems Mark Bonnar is among them. The expert suggests that accents could unexpectedly influence the outcome of the game.
Speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, Stanton explains that the way contestants sound can influence how trustworthy they appear. “Accent plays a subtle but powerful role in how people are perceived, especially in a setting like The Traitors, where trust is everything. We make instant judgements based on how someone sounds – warmth, authority, honesty – all of these can be shaped by accent,” he says.
According to Stanton, Mark’s strong Scottish accent could be a double-edged sword, either seeing him win the whole game or being branded a Traitor by his fellow Faithfuls.
The expert believes Mark’s accent might help him win the competition(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/Matt Burlem)
He explained: “A Scottish accent, like Mark Bonnar’s, often conveys a sense of authority and control. It’s a tone that people listen to, it commands attention. That can help someone to appear confident and decisive, which are strong leadership traits.
“But in The Traitors, leadership can also draw suspicion. Those who sound assertive can become targets simply because they appear to be directing others. Successful traitors tend to avoid being too vocal or obvious, and that’s harder to do if people instinctively defer to your voice.”
So far, Mark has remained a loyal Faithful, with the Dept. Q actor’s name never being mentioned once at the round table. Instead, he has navigated the game skilfully, actively participating in challenges and investigating to uncover the Traitors.
Fans have clearly taken a liking to Mark’s presence on the show, appreciating both his dedication and his active involvement in the game. One amused viewer even joked: “I’m concerned Mark believes people are actually being murdered!”
Fans are loving Mark’s reactions during the show(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
Taking to X, formally know as Twitter, another viewer stated: “Obsessed with Mark Bonnar being emotionally broken after just 3 episodes.”
While another said: “Mark Bonnar is FAR too emotionally invested in this game and I’m obsessed with it.”
However, Mark isn’t the only contestant the expert thinks could gain an edge in the competition thanks to their accent. Stanton also sees advantages for Charlotte Church.
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He explained: “A soft Welsh accent, like Charlotte Church’s, can come across as open and melodic. It tends to be associated with sincerity and emotional intelligence, which can make it easier to build trust quickly.
“In the context of The Traitors , that can be a massive advantage, if people believe you are being genuine, they are less likely to question your motives. However, being perceived as kind or heart-led can also make it harder to convince others of strategic intent, so subtlety would be key.”
