Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Traitors
From cutting hair in Leicester to living in a Scottish castle, barber Tyler Smith has revealed how his customers can’t stop talking about his dramatic journey on The Traitors. The 29-year-old has returned to his salon after being banished from the hit BBC series last week, with his exit sparking endless conversations with clients.
The experience has been a significant change from his early days of watching the show at home with his mother. Together they had encouraged each other to apply for the programme, with Tyler eventually landing a coveted spot in the Scottish castle alongside 24 other players and host Claudia Winkleman.
It was a surreal experience from the off, with the castle itself leaving Tyler stunned. “I’m just looking at the castle like whoa, like I can’t believe I’m here. I was just amazed how beautiful the castle was,” he told LeicestershireLive.
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“I thought it’s going to be a nice, relaxing train journey” said the star
(Image: BBC / Studio Lambert)
Moments into the experience getting under way, Tyler was thrown a curveball when three of the contestants onboard the train journey to the castle had to depart. It was something that took him by surprise. He said: “I thought it’s going to be a nice, relaxing train journey, but it was straight into the game.”
From there, Tyler became a central figure in the first two weeks of the show, forming a close alliance with contestants Livi, Leanne and Leon. It was the latter two who played a key part in Tyler’s exit though after his various theories did not materialise in finding a Traitor. A last-minute switch in vote also alarmed his close allies.
When it came to last Thursday’s banishment (January 9), his Castle friends Leanne and Leon turned against him – and secured enough votes from the fellow contestants to send the Leicester man packing. Despite the banishment, Tyler does not regret the bonds he made. “I got really close to Leon in there, and obviously Leanne as well. And they were the ones who went for me,” he said.
Asked whether he regretted changing his vote so late on, Tyler was firm in his response. He said: “No regrets. That decision that you made was the decision. You can’t change it. I’ve gone for a reason.”
Claudia Winkleman with all of this year’s contestants
(Image: BBC)
Since returning to work, customers have been eager to discuss the show with Tyler. “People keep coming over to me going ‘oh look you’re on the show’,” he explained, while others have mentioned how he “made Leicester proud” during his time on the show.
The response from his hometown has been particularly meaningful. “I’ve had a lot of Leicester sticking together, that’s been really good,” he added, noting that while not everyone will like you on reality TV, his experience has been “more positive than negative.”
The Traitors continues tonight (Wednesday, January 15) at 9pm on BBC One. Stream the series so far – including Tyler’s dramatic exit – on BBC iPlayer.
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