Latest news with #AlexanderDragonetti
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Traitors star becomes learning disability charity ambassador
A finalist of The Traitors has teamed up with a learning disability charity to become its newest ambassador. Alexander Dragonetti appeared on the third series of the show and said if he had won he would have donated some of the prize money to Mencap, after the charity helped his late brother. Fans of the show have since helped raise £95,000 for the Peterborough-based charity, which Mr Dragonetti said was "nothing short of incredible".He said: "People with a learning disability still face stigma and exclusion every day - I want to help Mencap increase visibility of learning disability and hope that in doing so we can promote acceptance and inclusion." The charity announced the news on National Siblings Day on 10 April in a series of videos shared on social media. Previously speaking to BBC Radio 4, Mr Dragonetti said he did not know whether or not to talk publicly about his brother, who had global development delay and autism. He said: "I talked about a summer camp I used to attend. This was a place where he could shine. He could be himself, he'd have infinite attention, he could be silly and my parents could get a break."My brother was the most wonderful human being and I miss him so deeply. I also know how hard it can be for parents looking after children with special needs." The Traitors, which is filmed in the Scotland, sees contestants engage in challenges, "murders", roundtables and banishments to build up a prize pot of money. He said: "It's remarkable how many people have experience or are impacted by learning disability. Hearing their stories has been humbling, and often surprisingly moving. "I am also passionate about raising awareness, and am so excited to continue doing this. Being different isn't easy and I'm proud to play a role for an organisation that breaks down barriers and improves understanding." Jon Sparkes, the chief executive at Mencap, said the charity was "thrilled" to welcome Mr Dragonetti to the "family". "He has already done so much to raise awareness of our essential work by bravely sharing his family's story, and in doing so has opened people's minds about learning disability." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The Traitors' Alexander Dragonetti lands new job after show success
The Traitors star Alexander Dragonetti is joining Classic FM to host a new Friday night series. The former British diplomat will host a five-part series titled, Trust Me, It's A Classic with Alexander Dragonetti, on the classical music station starting on Friday, 14 March. Dragonetti is best known for being a finalist in the most recent series of the BBC reality show, The Traitors, which followed 22 contestants as they completed a series of challenges and games in the Scottish Highlands. He said: 'I'm a big fan of Classic FM – so it's an honour to be part of such an iconic station. 'I love how it makes classical music so accessible, including people like me who are still learning. 'There's a saying that 'music isn't meant to be heard – it's meant to be felt'. I'd like to share the music that really makes me feel: happiness, joy, sadness, reflection; and see if it does the same for you.' Playing some of the biggest and most famous pieces of classical music, Dragonetti will also showcase his favourite pieces discussing why they are so special to him. They include Beethoven's Symphony No.7 which he first heard at university, a recording by singer Fatma Said that reminds him of his time as a diplomat in the Middle East, and Le Onde by Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi, which helped him following the death of his young brother. Dragonetti, who was a faithful in the show, talked openly during The Traitors about his late brother, who had Global Developmental Delay and autism, saying in the event he won he would donate some of the prize money to Mencap, an organisation that supports people with learning disabilities. Since leaving the show, and despite not winning, . Philip Noyce, of Classic FM, said: 'He's just starred in one of the biggest TV programmes, so we're really excited to welcome Alexander to the Classic FM family as the host of our new Friday night series. 'His passion for classical music is infectious, so it's great that he's sharing his most faithful classics with our listeners over the next five weeks and telling us why we can put our trust in them.' The series will start on 14 March from 9pm-10pm.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alexander From The Traitors' Reaction To Everyone's Thirst Posts Is Just So Him
The Traitors finalist Alexander Dragonetti has responded to the wave of admiration that's come his way since appearing on the reality show. Ever since his debut in the first episode of the Bafta-winning reality show, Alexander has become something of a heartthrob among viewers, which only intensified as the weeks wore on. By the time last week's final rolled around, a quick search for the former diplomat's name on social media brought up all manner of thirst posts – which he was asked about during a recent interview with Cosmopolitan. Responding to one specific post on X which described him as having 'rom-com energy', Alexander quipped: 'I don't really feel like it's my decision whether I have rom-com energy, I suppose, I'll leave that for others to judge.' He was later presented with a second post, in which someone remarked they were only tuning in to see him, prompting a question about how it feels to have 'everyone thirsting over you'. 'Surprising,' he responded, before – ever the diplomat – adding simply: 'Thank you for the support. It has been absolutely brilliant. It has just made this whole thing so much more fun, and so much more enjoyable. I am enormously grateful for all the support.' Alexander then disclosed that he is single, remarking: 'No further comment.' Since The Traitors came to an end, Alexander has been in the headlines thanks to fans of his making waves of donations to the learning disability charity Mencap. When the finale aired, it emerged that Alexander was competing in the hopes of donating his prize money to Mencap, who helped his family while his brother – who had a global developmental delay and autism – was still alive. All three seasons of The Traitors UK are available to watch on BBC iPlayer, with the first ever celebrity edition of the show premiering later this year. The Traitors Winner Leanne Quigley Makes Surprising Admission About Her £47K Prize Money The Traitors' Charlotte And Frankie Have Given An Update On Their Relationship Post-Show Mencap Shares Traitors-Inspired Thank You Message To Fans After Flurry Of Donations
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alexander From The Traitors' Reaction To Everyone's Thirst Posts Is Just So Him
The Traitors finalist Alexander Dragonetti has responded to the wave of admiration that's come his way since appearing on the reality show. Ever since his debut in the first episode of the Bafta-winning reality show, Alexander has become something of a heartthrob among viewers, which only intensified as the weeks wore on. By the time last week's final rolled around, a quick search for the former diplomat's name on social media brought up all manner of thirst posts – which he was asked about during a recent interview with Cosmopolitan. Responding to one specific post on X which described him as having 'rom-com energy', Alexander quipped: 'I don't really feel like it's my decision whether I have rom-com energy, I suppose, I'll leave that for others to judge.' He was later presented with a second post, in which someone remarked they were only tuning in to see him, prompting a question about how it feels to have 'everyone thirsting over you'. 'Surprising,' he responded, before – ever the diplomat – adding simply: 'Thank you for the support. It has been absolutely brilliant. It has just made this whole thing so much more fun, and so much more enjoyable. I am enormously grateful for all the support.' Alexander then disclosed that he is single, remarking: 'No further comment.' Since The Traitors came to an end, Alexander has been in the headlines thanks to fans of his making waves of donations to the learning disability charity Mencap. When the finale aired, it emerged that Alexander was competing in the hopes of donating his prize money to Mencap, who helped his family while his brother – who had a global developmental delay and autism – was still alive. All three seasons of The Traitors UK are available to watch on BBC iPlayer, with the first ever celebrity edition of the show premiering later this year. The Traitors Winner Leanne Quigley Makes Surprising Admission About Her £47K Prize Money The Traitors' Charlotte And Frankie Have Given An Update On Their Relationship Post-Show Mencap Shares Traitors-Inspired Thank You Message To Fans After Flurry Of Donations
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Traitors star Alexander Dragonetti inspires thousands of donations to Mencap charity
The Traitors finalist Alexander Dragonetti has inspired more than £30,000 in charity donations after opening up about his late brother's learning disabilities on the show. Mr Dragonetti told fellow contestants during the BBC show's final that he would be donate some of the prize money to Mencap, an organisation that supports people with learning disabilities, if he won. The former British diplomat said his late brother, who had Global Developmental Delay and autism, used to go to summer camps set up by the organisation, and that he would "love to put some money their way to keep it going". The 38-year-old failed to win the series, losing out to project manager Jake Brown and former soldier Leanne Quigley for the £94,600 prize pot. But Mencap says he has inspired more than 2,000 people to make donations since the final, raising £31,000. Mencap's chief executive Jon Sparkes said the charity was "really grateful to Alexander for courageously sharing his personal story". He added: "Despite not winning on Friday night Alexander remained faithful to the end and captured the hearts of the nation - he is our champion! "Telling his story has inspired a tremendous wave of generosity from the public. Their overwhelming support for Mencap has been incredible, with generous donations around £30,000. "These donations are needed more now than ever as people with a learning disability continue to face extensive inequalities every day. Read more: "We know that when the experiences of people with a learning disability, and their loved ones, are represented in the media, it helps to change attitudes and make our society more inclusive," Mr Sparkes added. "We loved watching Alexander's journey throughout the show and want to thank him for all that he's done." 'This way, you still win' The charity also shared some comments from anonymous donors inspired by the contestant. One read: "My son is non verbal autistic and severe learning difficulties. I have a monthly donation but this one is for Alexander, it's what you wanted and this way, you still win. National treasure." "I have always had family friends with learning disabilities but it was Alexander from the traitors that inspired me to donate," another read. Another donator wrote: "I'm the parent of a child with learning disabilities who will need care in the future and I worry about his future when I'm gone every day. "I also was moved by Alexander's story on the traitors and wanted to donate to his cause even though he hadn't won."
