Paul Gorton: The Villainous Comedian of The Traitors
While the nation watches The Traitors with bated breath and questionable morals, Paul Gorton, the embodiment of reality TV villainy, manages to keep audiences captivated. But spoiler alert: his day job isn’t exactly what one might suspect from a man whose biggest pastime is throwing fellow contestants under the proverbial bus.
Describing himself as “competitive, cruel, and… traitor,” Paul seems rather proud of his mischief—perhaps a little too proud. He has shocked viewers every episode, from sacrificing Ash Bibi at the round table like a sacrificial lamb, to gossiping that his partner-in-scheme, Miles Asteri, had poisoned the fan-favorite Diane Miles. If reality TV had a Shakespearean twist, this would be it.
Yet beyond his dramatic flair on the show, Paul is actually a stand-up comedian. Yes, you heard that right. The villain reveling in deceit might just be wielding humor as his secret weapon. It’s no wonder he was voted “most popular” during one particular challenge. It seems charm, coupled with a knack for graphic betrayal, goes a long way.
Paul’s comedic journey kicked off at the Comedy Store in London in 2022. “Just the beginning,” he said, tossing humility to the wind like confetti at a poorly planned wedding. He performed in front of a packed house of 400, likely leaving many wondering what was funnier—his jokes or the fact that they were watching a traitor attempt comedy.
But it was a podcast, Chatabix, where he first caught the comedy bug. After receiving “lovely feedback,” he thought, “Why not embarrass myself in front of thousands?” That’s the spirit! He even hyped his upcoming gig with a mix of excitement and dread, claiming he was “absolutely s**ting myself.” Sounds like the confidence of a true comedian.
Before joining The Traitors, Paul was already convinced that laughter would be his “powerful weapon.” Who knew that in the cutthroat world of reality TV, the bridge to victory might just be a punchline away? He figured if he could toss in some comedy to lighten the mood, it could potentially save his skin when tensions escalated. He boldly declared himself a “comfort blanket” for contestants—a blanket no one asked for but are now stuck with, in a reality show nightmare.
The Traitors UK series two continues its suspenseful antics Wednesdays through Fridays at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, promising more emotional rollercoasters. So grab your snacks, and prepare for more betrayal, laughter, and the inevitable spiral of over-dramatic confessions fueled by various snack-induced moods.
