If you, like me, have been captivated by The Celebrity Traitors and are a devoted fan of the series, you may have noticed the intriguing parallels between a certain charming talk show host, Jonathan Ross, and a notorious contestant from season 2 of the regular version of the show, Paul Gorton, who was known as the self-proclaimed villain of that year.
This similarity has not escaped Paul’s notice either. In a recent conversation, he shared his thoughts on the current season of The Celebrity Traitors and reflected on his own experience on the show: “I think his last statement in the most recent episode was, ‘This is getting easy’… I don’t know if it made the edit or not, but I said the same thing.”
I almost want to formally apologise to the UK public, because I realised how infuriating it is to watch someone revelling in just such deceit without being caught
Looking back to January 2024, Paul had successfully navigated through accusations and betrayals, showcasing his skill at manipulation. However, his eventual downfall came when he was double-crossed by the eventual winner of the show, Harry. Now, a similar scenario seems to be unfolding with Jonathan Ross in the spotlight.
The parallels between Traitors Paul Gorton and Jonathan Ross
In the latest episode, Jonathan Ross executed a bold move by eliminating his biggest threat, Ruth Codd, without raising suspicion among his fellow contestants. While some, like Joe Marler, remained skeptical, Ross’s confidence remains unshaken. However, Paul empathizes with Ross’s situation, acknowledging the frustration of watching someone revel in deceit without getting caught.
Paul predicts Ross’s downfall, drawing from his own experience of getting too comfortable in the role of a manipulative player. He believes that Ross’s only chance of survival lies in backstabbing Alan Carr, as Cat Burns seems untouchable.
BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
Why former Traitor Paul thinks Jonathan has no choice but to backstab
The tense atmosphere in the castle, coupled with the contestants’ inability to catch any Traitors, is heightening the pressure on everyone. Paul anticipates that cracks will start to show, especially with the show having fewer episodes than the main series. He believes Jonathan Ross’s best chance lies in betraying Alan Carr.
Reflecting on his own experience, Paul emphasizes the importance of being a Traitor Hunter and speculates on the potential downfall of Jonathan Ross if he doesn’t make a strategic move soon.

BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry
Paul’s favourite times were scheming with the winner, Harry Clark
Paul reminisces about the strategic alliances and secret scheming with fellow Traitor Harry, highlighting the thrill of orchestrating chaos among the Faithfuls. Their bond continued beyond the show, with the duo teaming up for various projects post-show.
Paul singles out Celia Emrie as a strong player to watch in the game, acknowledging her strategic gameplay and ability to read situations accurately. He also praises her for her memorable moments on the show.
Paul on the future of The Traitors and his own career
Looking ahead, Paul speculates on the potential for an ‘all-star’ edition of The Traitors, featuring former contestants competing against each other. He also hints at a top-secret project he’s working on for the future.
As the interview concludes, Paul playfully hints at the possibility of his on-screen persona being an act, leaving room for speculation about Jonathan Ross’s character post-show. The unfolding drama on The Celebrity Traitors continues to captivate audiences, promising more twists and turns in the episodes to come.
The Celebrity Traitors airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9pm BST on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. International viewers can find out how to watch the show here.
This article was made possible by WhichBingo.