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I was The Traitors’ most controversial exit that sparked fix claims – I’ve got no regrets and I didn’t break the rules
The jaw-dropping moment was nominated for a prestigious Bafta
THE Traitors viewers gasped in shock as Kieran Tompsett gained brutal revenge on co-star Wilf Webster in his memorable round table exit.
Falling at the final hurdle after being involuntarily recruited as a Traitor by Wilf, series one star Kieran famously voted for his rival to leave and declared the move a "parting gift".
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It immediately led fellow players Meryl Williams, Hannah Byczkowski, and Aaron Evans to question what he meant by it and ultimately cost Wilf a slice of the huge prize pot.
The bold statement resulted in fix claims, accusations Kieran had ruined the show and even saw the BBC release a statement denying any improper conduct.
It was also nominated for the inaugural Memorable Moment Bafta, such was its impact, losing out to Platinum Jubilee – Party at the Palace Paddington meets the Queen.
With series two launching last night, Kieran revisited his experience on the show in an exclusive interview with The Sun.
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He said: "I don't have any regrets because I believe sometimes things play out the way they're meant to play out.
"Did I feel guilty at the time about doing it to Wilf? Yes, absolutely. Because he played an absolute blinder.
"Would he feel the same about me? I think so because I had a good game plan to get me through to the end.
"I wouldn't change a single thing.
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"Those two words, it's like Marmite, you either love them or you hate them.
"At the end of the day it's given us one of the best reality TV moments. It's gone down in history. I'm very grateful for the opportunity, I wouldn't change anything."
Kieran insists he didn't break the rules and calls the round table antics a "grey area", though concedes bosses are likely to have tightened up what can and can't be said since his mic drop moment.
He continues: "I don't think anyone will try it again anyway, you can't replicate something like that. I love it.
"Those two words changed my life and no one saw that coming in the last episode. and we had to keep it hush hush for maximum impact. Sometimes you don't have to be a winner to do well out of a show."
Inevitably, as with any reality programme, there were questions from viewers regarding just how real the programme was.
I wouldn't change a single thing
Kieran Tompsett
In The Traitors case, fake deaths aside, the action is totally unscripted.
Kieran says: "I can categorically tell you now that is not produced in any way shape or form, they leave you to your own devices.
"That's why I think it's so successful.
"Season two will be a different animal altogether. You don't want anyone to compare to the other one, we want them to stand alone.
"What they won't foresee is what Studio Lambert and the BBC will have in store for them, the twists and turns, because nothing will be the same as last year."
This was evidenced early on in last night's show when the contestants were told to order themselves from most to least likely to win the competition.
The same drill last year saw Kieran and Dr Amos Ogunkoya temporarily banished from the show in a shock twist after they placed themselves at the end of the line.
That moment in particular was a bitter pill to swallow for Kieran who believed he'd ruined his chances on the programme just minutes into the first episode.
Highlighting the unpredictable nature of series two, host Claudia Winkleman joked to relieved new players that scenario wouldn't be replicated.
Kieran started a new job as a Senior Solutions Consultant SaaS DocuWare & IT Services immediately after finishing filming his series.
And he's currently attending weekly acting classes too at Top Boy star Ashley Walters' Kingdom Drama School in London with ambitions of breaking into the industry.
"I would love the opportunity to go into EastEnders," he says. "I've watched it since I was a child.
"I don't think I'd be able to top anything reality-wise. I think I need to choose if I go reality or acting. I would love the opportunity to play a villain role in a British film or EastEnders would be the ultimate for me, even if it was a cameo role or something like that. I'll try my best to get there."
In addition Kieran is an ambassador for the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder charity PTSD UK, helping to raise awareness around the condition.
He suffered a series of personal tragedies that led to his own diagnosis.
Fourteen years ago his lung was punctured in a knife attack and he spent time in intensive care. Following the ordeal he suffered panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and nightmares.
While in more recent years he had to contend with the loss of his mum and 17-month-old baby nephew.
He says: "Only my wife and close family knew about it, it's a personal thing and going into the public eye... when they said 'would you consider being an ambassador?' I didn't bat an eyelid.
"The second I announced that, I did have messages from people going through horrific situations. Working with PTSD, I'm no professional in any shape or form and I can't give advice, but what I can do is guide them to the right people where they can get help.
"I should have got help a lot earlier than I did. I'm one of the lucky ones, I survived a stabbing; I coped with the loss of my mum, but there's a lot more help out there than when I got stabbed and from four years ago when I lost my mum. I'm very proud to be an ambassador. Mental health is getting better, but there's a long way to go.
"It's funny, the people who love you the most and will help you more than anyone are the people you don't confide in.
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"When I got help it was a complete stranger that I eventually opened up to and got the help and support I needed.
"Sometimes people are peculiar. Sometimes that one chance conversion with a complete stranger and they could potentially get help."
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