The Traitors winner Meryl says people see show as ‘new Love Island’ as she begs bosses to stick to normal contestants
THE Traitors champion Meryl Williams has branded the gritty BBC series as "the new Love Island."
The Edinburgh-based star, 27, has traded in her call centre job for a career on social media since being one of the final three faithfuls standing on Claudia Winkleman's hit BBC One series.
Last year, The Traitors hosted by Claudia, 51, pitted 22 contestants against one another at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands
After four weeks of skulduggery, it was Meryl, along with estate agent Aaron Evans and comedienne Hannah Byczkowski who triumphed and took a share of the prize pot.
As the new series and latest cast line-up bid for another bumper cash prize, Meryl has told how the BBC programme was a good way for wannabe stars to build their profile.
She told Sky Vegas: "I think so because obviously people could see this as maybe the new Love Island.
read more traitors
"This is the new opportunity for people to build their platform and following, where they can build their way up.
"It'll be interesting to see the US version when that comes out because that's both celebrities and normal people and they’ve always done the US version that way.
"So, it'll be interesting to see how the UK version compares, but I'm hoping they keep it to just normal people.
"I like to listen to people's life experiences and hear about different jobs and aspects of life."
This year, contestants include chess master Anthony, model Mollie and clairvoyant Tracey.
Previous Traitors stars such as Aaron have abandoned their former jobs - with Meryl's ex co-star now working on yachts.
The brunette admitted: "It sounds cliche but my life has definitely changed a lot.
"I was working in a call centre, nine to five, back in 2022. And then obviously the show came out and it was a lot more popular than expected.
"I never thought this was going to be a big break or anything, I just thought this is going to be a really good experience and let's see what happens.
"Now I just do social media with an amazing agency. I never even thought I could get into this line of work.
"I'm able to just do what I want to do and not be stuck within like the normal 9 to 5 working machine.”
Meryl has form on starring on TV series, with a previous appearance on game show Blankety Blank.
Read more on The Sun
She then underwent forehead surgery after her huge Traitors win.
Meryl, who has achondroplasia, where your torso is average height but your legs and arms are shorter said she had the procedure because her forehead had always been a "big insecurity."
