Warwick PhD student heads into Traitors castle

Warwick PhD student Jade Scott is among those taking on the Traitors castle as the smash-hit reality show makes its return to TV screens.

The BAFTA-winning BBC series returned for its fourth season on New Year’s Day with a twist that saw the introduction of an additional ‘Secret Traitor’, their identity hidden from both cast and audience.

26-year-old Scott, from the West Midlands, was the only player of the initial 22 contestants who expressed to host Claudia Winkleman her desire not to be a Traitor.

“I think I just have more to give as a Faithful, rooting out who the Traitors are”, she told Winkleman prior to the infamous Round Table selection.

This, along with some astute handwriting analysis from viewers, fuelled some suspicions that she was in fact the castle’s hidden killer. Last night’s episode finally confirmed the red-cloaked assassin’s true identity, although no spoilers will be dished out here…

It’s a game, and I’m here to play the game

Jade Scott, PhD student

Avid video-gamer Scott is currently undertaking a PhD in Developmental Biology at the University of Warwick, where she is researching women’s health and pregnancy. She was recently awarded an Associate Fellowship with AdvanceHE.

This comes after she graduated from Warwick with a First-Class Master’s degree in Biomedical Science in 2021, while also being awarded the Rosa Jane Small Prize for outstanding potential for postgraduate research.

On how she’d spend the prize pot of up to £120,000, Scott told the BBC prior to filming: “PhD life doesn’t pay very well. I’d like to buy a house somewhere I can call home, as I have moved around a lot for studying and so I’d like somewhere to finally call my own.”

Noting her intention to downplay her intelligence while in the Castle, she added: “My game plan is basically to go in there and try and be part of the crowd but also be a bit of a shark amongst the little sheep.

“It’s a game, and I’m here to play the game. I signed up for the game and I’m a gamer by heart. I think everyone there is hiding something to a certain degree or trying to come off as a particular way. You don’t really know who these people are, so I am going to go in and be sceptical of everyone.”

Viewers can follow Scott’s progress as The Traitors continues tonight on BBC One.