The finale of Celebrity Traitors delivered a stunning upset, with Traitor Alan Carr claiming victory over Faithfuls Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga. But according to Jake Brown, the season three winner, the outcome wasn’t a surprise – it was a predictable consequence of a flawed strategy.
Jake, who triumphed alongside Leanne Quigley and split a £94,600 prize, believes the Faithfuls’ downfall hinged on their inability to sway David Olusoga. He observed that winning required understanding and securing David’s trust, a crucial element that ultimately eluded them.
His own winning game was built on sharp observation. Jake pinpointed Linda Rands as a Traitor from the very first roundtable, noticing a subtle tell – a lifted head during Claudia Winkleman’s address. This keen eye for detail gave him a unique perspective on the game, one he brought to analyzing the finale.
The strategy employed by Nick Mohammed and Joe Marler, keeping their suspicions closely guarded, proved to be a double-edged sword. While it propelled them to the final stages, it ultimately isolated them from the broader Faithful group, hindering collective progress. Jake pointed out that banished Faithful Kate was left in the dark about crucial information.
“It’s a selfish game, you’re playing to win for yourself,” Jake explained, acknowledging the inherent tension between individual ambition and team success. He suggested that a more open approach, sharing information sooner, could have led to Alan Carr’s earlier exposure.
Even with clear betrayals evident to viewers, Jake emphasized the deceptive nature of the game within the castle walls. He recalled his own experience as “humbling,” realizing how much more difficult it was to identify Traitors than it appeared on screen. He bonded with a GMB presenter over this shared realization.
Alan Carr’s personality, with its characteristic fidgeting and laughter, further complicated matters. Jake noted that discerning genuine deception from Carr’s natural demeanor was a significant challenge. Success in the game, he added, requires a considerable amount of luck and being in the right place at the right time.
The victory has profoundly impacted Jake’s life, providing a platform to share his experiences living with cerebral palsy. He now serves as a judge for the 2026 Scope Awards, a charity dedicated to ending disability inequality and fostering a more inclusive society.
Jake views his involvement with Scope as an honor, driven by a desire to inspire young people facing challenges. He wants to demonstrate that achieving greatness is possible regardless of limitations, emphasizing the power of community and mutual support.
He credits Celebrity Traitors with offering a level of diverse representation he rarely saw growing up, and hopes the show’s success will encourage other programs to follow suit. He’s received countless messages from viewers who felt seen and heard, a testament to the show’s impact.
Alan Carr, after his surprising win, chose to donate his £87,500 prize pot to Neuroblastoma UK, a children’s cancer charity close to his heart. The charity focuses on researching more effective treatments and ultimately finding a cure for this devastating disease.
