Traitors winner locked in feud with co-star gives surprise update
Meryl Williams has opened up on her infamous feud with co-star Maddy Smedley. The TV star emerged victorious from the first series of the BBC game show, which sees a group of Faithfuls work together to try to work out who the Traitors are and oust them from the castle, and shared just over £100,000 with two other finalists.
But viewers will remember that she had numerous spats with fellow Faithful Maddy, and the fiery clashes over their different opinions made up much of latter half of the series that year. Eventually, Maddy was banished from the castle before the final and now Meryl has spoken out about her time on the show.
During a chat on Saturday Night with Hayley Palmer, she said when asked about how she coped with the lying and deceit that came her way: "I think I am a good liar and people think that I'm trustworthy. I thought I wouldn't come across as intimidating but then obviously me and Maddy started having our own tiffs with one another. That started in episode six so [her plan] didn't work." It comes after Richard Osman reveals axed Ant and Dec show was 'expensive car crash'.
But when she was asked how things between her and Maddy are now, she confirmed to Hayley: "We are friends now." Elsewhere in the chat with the presenter, Meryl, who stands at 4ft 2 as a result of her achondroplasia, spoke highly of the casting process when she applied to be on the programme in the first place.
She added: "The one thing I'll take my hats off to The Traitors is the casting. They are incredible, the inclusion they get for both the celebs and our one is incredible. They have between 21 and 75, non-disabled, visually disabled, non-visually disabled - they just ticked all the boxes!"
Prior to finding fame on the show, Maddy actually had experience as an actress but despite that, she later admitted that taking part in the programme was a shock to the system. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, she admitted: "Yeah, I think it was very intense. I think everyone threw themselves into it.
"So I realised I'm more of a method actor cause I felt like I was on death row, but then I think everything's heightened. So even you as a person, you're like, who was that? Or did I say that? And then each time I was like, oh my God. Very intense."
The intensity of filming The Traitors may have helped in the long run, as Maddy's acting career has gone from strength to strength after leaving the show. She was a guest star in Call the Midwife last Christmas, playing a pregnant, poverty-stricken mother whose family is evicted from their home just as their neighbourhood is gripped by Hong Kong flu on the long-running BBC period medical drama - and fans were overjoyed to see her back on their screens.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
21 minutes ago
- Metro
British TV legend Ray Brooks, best known as voice of Mr Benn, dies aged 86
Ray Brooks, whose TV career spanned five decades, has died aged 86. The actor was best known for narrating the 1970's children's show Mr Benn, but also had notable roles in Cathy Comes Home, Big Deal and Running Wild. He also was one of just a handful of actors to appear in both Coronation Street and EastEnders. In the 1960s he played Norman Philips on the ITV soap, then 40 years later arrived in Albert Square, in which he played Joe Macer, who infamously murdered his wife Pauline Fowler. Brooks died on Saturday after a short illness, his family told the BBC. In a statement, his sons Will and Tom said their dad believed he was best known for Mr Benn, 'with people continually asking him to say the catchphrase 'as if by magic!'.' More Trending The animated series followed the character who, after dressing up in a magical costume shop, would find himself experiencing a new adventure every episode. 'Although only 13 episodes were made, they were repeated twice a year for 21 years,' his sons added. Other series Brooks appeared in throughout the 1960s and 1970s included Danger Man, Dixon of Dock Green, Emergency-Ward 10, The Avengers, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Z Cars. View More » He also appeared in films like The Knack… and How to Get It, Carry On Abroad and in the Dr Who movie Daleks' Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Inside Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock's relationship as talent manager dies aged 48 MORE: Coronation Street and Mrs Brown's Boys star Frank Grimes dies aged 78 MORE: Superstore actor Jon Miyahara dies aged 83 as friends pay tribute to 'memorable' star
Daily Record
22 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Prince Harry and William's feud may put awkward edge on coming royal wedding
Harry and William have become increasingly estranged in recent years, but they may soon find themselves at the same royal event. Prince Harry and William have been growing apart for years, particularly since Meghan Markle and Harry stepped down from their royal duties and moved to the US. But the brothers may come face-to-face soon, as a royal wedding is seemingly on the cards. Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips revealed that he is now engaged to girlfriend Harriet Sperling after a year of dating, with his fiancé being spotted at several high profile events, including Royal Ascot. Peter's uncle King Charles is said to have been delighted with the news, as was his close cousin Prince William. While a 'save the date' is yet to be announced, many have wondered who might bag an invite- especially as Peter is thought to be close to both William and Harry. And former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond explains that the guest list situation could prove awkward. She explained to the Mirror: "It seems that Harriet is already a hit in the Royal family. It was quite an accolade for her to be invited to join the carriage possession at Royal Ascot, and she was seen chatting animatedly with the King. "Given that both she and Peter are divorced, I suspect their wedding may be a fairly low-key civil ceremony. But Peter is very popular in the family and so the reception could well be at Windsor Castle or another royal residence. "As with all weddings, there will be a conundrum about who to invite. Peter was always very close to both William and Harry. During the difficult times he has been something of a buffer, for example, walking between them at the funeral of their grandfather, Prince Philip. "However, it's going to be awkward for him to invite them both to his wedding. On the other hand, both William and Harry attended the funeral of their uncle, Lord Fellowes, and even though they were in the same church and then the same room it seems they did not speak. So, anything is possible. "All things considered, it might be better for Peter and Harriet to have a quiet wedding with just a few friends and family present." Peter, 47, was previously married to Autumn Kelly, with whom he has two daughters Isla and Savannah. He also dated long-term partner Lindsay Wallace before they split last year and he later found love with Harriet, an NHS nurse. In April 2024, it was revealed that Peter had split with previous girlfriend Lindsay, who were said to have amicably separated with work commitments getting in the way of their relationship. Peter married his first wife Autumn back in May 2008 in a grand ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor, with guests including the late Queen and Prince Philip as well as his cousin Prince Harry. Although Prince William was unable to make it, the Princess of Wales was invited, despite being unmarried at the time - and it is believed the wedding marked the first time she met the late Queen. The couple spent time living in Hong Kong through Peter's previous job with the Royal Bank of Scotland and eventually settled back in the UK with their two daughters Savannah, 14, the late Queen's oldest great-grandchild and Isla, 13. However, towards the end of 2019, the couple separated and revealed they had taken the difficult step in an emotional statement in 2020. When they married in 2008, the couple raised eyebrows when the pictures from the wedding were sold to a magazine for a large sum. And Jennie added: "I imagine Peter has learnt his lesson from his first wedding, when he sold the picture rights to a magazine for £500,000. It did not go down well with the Queen or the palace, who said it had been 'a serious error of judgement'." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Dick and Angel Strawbridge fans 'can't stop crying' after emotional post
Escape to the Chateau stars Dick and Angel Strawbridge took to social media to say 'thank you' for the 'magical memories' as fans reacted to the news Dick and Angel Strawbridge have entertained us on screen for over a decade and now the couple, along with their children, are sharing more magical memories. The much-loved duo took to Instagram today (10 August) to share a series of pictures from their amazing holiday in Australia. In the snaps, the family can be seen posing together in sweet pictures as well as enjoying the wildlife that Australia has to offer, with kangaroos and snakes joining them in the photos. Posting on The Strawbridge Family account, they captioned it: 'Thank you Australia for the magical memories. More to come on our adventures.. but we had to share some of our favourite pictures. 'We have hugged, laughed and swapped stories with so many.. it's really been truly amazing. Thank you for the love. Until the next time!' It comes after BBC Death in Paradise's Kris Marshall shares heartbreak over being sacked and losing job. Fans flocked to the comments section, with many being in complete shock at how much their children, Arthur and Dorothy, have grown since viewers last saw them on Escape to the Chateau. One fan expressed: 'One, I just want to cry. Looking at Dorothy and Arthur and how they have grown. I've watched your beautiful family from the beginning of the Chateau show (which I miss). They are beautiful. Dorothy is gorgeous and Arthur is exceedingly handsome.' Another social media user commented: 'I cannot believe how much Dorothy and Arthur have grown. I remember how little they were. I watched your TV program from the very beginning.' Somebody else agreed: 'Surreal to see how grown up the kids are considering we're still seeing reruns of the Chateau when Arthur was 9! So glad you've enjoyed our beautiful country.' While a fourth added: 'Cannot believe how much the kids have grown! Hope you all had a wonderful time.' Escape to the Chateau followed the family as they bought and renovated the 19 th century Château de la Motte-Husson, in Martigné-sur-Mayenne, France. The show began airing on Channel 4 in 2016 aired a whopping 50 episodes across nine seasons before it ended in December 2022. Revealing why they decided to end the show, the couple told HELLO! In 2023: 'It was two years ago that we decided to end the Escape to the Chateau series. 'We made the decision because the kids are growing older, and all the parallel activity was not sustainable at this level. We are doers and we are never going to stop completely, but we're also protecting them. 'Arthur is starting senior school and the pressure on our little ones is phenomenal. When he goes there, people may have heard that his parents have done stuff on television. Angel added: 'Up until this year, we were not on French television at our request because while we are the British family that bought the Chateau in the village, we are very much completely normal.'
