The fourth series of the hit BBC One reality show The Traitors made its dramatic return on New Year's Day, immediately introducing a major new twist to the game. Host Claudia Winkleman welcomed 22 fresh contestants to the Scottish castle, where the battle between Faithfuls and Traitors began anew.
The Secret Traitor Twist
In a surprising move right at the start of the opening episode, Claudia Winkleman revealed a significant change for the latest series. After selecting her initial three Traitors, she introduced the concept of a 'Secret Traitor'. This player's identity is concealed from everyone, including the other Traitors and even the Secret Traitor themselves, adding a fresh layer of deception and intrigue to the high-stakes competition.
Meet Hugo Lodge: Barrister and Superfan
One of the three contestants who received the infamous 'tap on the shoulder' was Hugo Lodge, a 51-year-old barrister originally from Cardiff who now lives in London. Lodge is no ordinary contestant; he is a self-confessed superfan of the show. He claims to have watched 'every episode in the English language', including versions from the UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand.
Hugo plans to use his professional skills to his advantage in the game. As a barrister, he believes he is an excellent judge of character and is accustomed to maintaining composure under pressure, a vital skill when lying or detecting lies. He stated that his ability to stand before a jury and appear credible would be a key asset.
Hugo's Background and Game Strategy
Beyond the courtroom, Hugo Lodge is also an author and has an international legal career, having practised in locations such as Dubai and the Cayman Islands. His professional expertise focuses on financial regulation, including anti-money laundering and sanctions.
Discussing his strategy, Hugo explained he intended to 'hide in plain sight'. Rather than blending into the background, he plans to be his outgoing self—telling stories, jokes, and singing—to appear as a positive and open Faithful. He also shared his tells for spotting deception, noting that touching your face and avoiding eye contact are classic signs of dishonesty.
On social media, Hugo can be found on Instagram under the handle @hugodbailey, where he confirmed his participation in the series. He also revealed that if he wins the prize money, he would donate it to the human rights organisation Amnesty International.
The Traitors continues nightly on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. With the new Secret Traitor twist and players like Hugo Lodge in the mix, the fourth series promises to be the most unpredictable yet.
