In a dramatic twist on BBC One's hit show The Traitors, a former police officer has broken his silence on the strategic secret he kept from fellow contestants. Maz Bana, 59, chose to conceal his past career, a decision mirroring the recent revelation from Faithful Amanda, who confided she was a retired detective to a Traitor.
The Strategic Decision to Stay Undercover
Speaking exclusively to Metro, Maz detailed the last-minute choice that defined his game. Initially planning to be open about his profession, he had a change of heart. "I was battling with the thought of whether to say or not," he admitted. "It was a last minute decision by myself not to go ahead with it."
While acknowledging that a police background could signal trustworthiness and useful skills, Maz feared it would make him a prime target. "At the same time, you could place a big target on your back," he said. He also wanted to avoid the "expectations and responsibility" that might come with the revelation, preferring a low-profile strategy. On his final choice, he stated firmly: "And do you know what? I don't regret it, to be perfectly honest with you."
Murdered Before His Game Could Truly Begin
Maz confirmed he was subtly using his investigative skills, adopting a watchful approach. "I played it in the sense of, 'Let me just step back, let's just see how it entails and unfolds,'" he explained. He believed that given more time, he would have emerged as a powerful player.
However, his game was cut short in the fifth episode, when he was murdered by the Traitors' trio: Rachel, Fiona, and Stephen. The betrayal was a genuine shock, particularly from Fiona. "I didn't know Fiona was gunning for me," he revealed, noting she had been seated next to him at the roundtable and was one of his closest allies in the castle.
Would He Have Joined the Traitors?
With little suspicion from the Faithfuls, Maz believed he was positioning himself perfectly for a potential recruitment by the Traitors. "I came across so faithful. And the Traitors could have really used that," he mused. When asked if he would have accepted an offer, his answer was emphatic: "Absolutely! I would have jumped at the chance. I would have loved it!... I think I would have been an amazing recruited Traitor."
He also addressed a popular fan theory circulating on social media, which suggested he and fellow contestant Faraaz might be related. Maz clarified: "I don't know where it came from and how it came about, but obviously it's not true." His motivation for the prize money was to support his five children, aged between 18 and 32.
Reflecting on his family's reaction, Maz shared: "My family, my kids, they're just so proud... And I've got a whole level of new respect from my kids." The Traitors continues nightly on BBC One.
