Secrets of The Traitors star hosting a murder mystery cruise
Wilfred Webster, one of the breakout stars of last year’s BBC series, The Traitors, will be joining a Cruise Croatia themed sailing next August – he talks exclusively to us about his time on the hit show and what to expect from the murder mystery at sea
How did you find out about The Traitors?
I follow Studio Lambert, the production company, on social media. I had applied for The Circle, and made the casting call for that. But The Traitors appealed to me more with its tagline as a ‘psychological adventure game show’.
Why do you think you were chosen?
We were put through various psychological tests and had to talk about our game plans for being both a traitor and a faithful. I think they chose me because I worked for a charity at the time and I have good morals, but I am quite competitive and will do anything to win. So me being a nice person but with a competitive edge worked for them.
How was the filming experience?
The hardest thing I have ever done! I became a method actor and in my head I played as if I truly believed I was a faithful as that helped me to get on their level and look out for any giveaways that might unmask a traitor. They took our phones so I didn’t talk to my wife or anyone at all during the filming. Our families sent video messages and the welfare team would send my wife messages back telling her I was ok.
How did you stick to your plan?
In the lodging where we slept overnight I had a big poster on my wall that read: ‘It’s just a game” and I also had a T-shirt printed with the same phrase written backwards so I could read that in the mirror. My strategy did change as the show progressed… I started by getting rid of people that I was close to, because I thought they might realise I was a traitor more quickly, but towards the end, it was making me sad to get rid of my friends, so I ended up thinking more along the lines of – who wouldn’t I mind losing to?
Who else impressed you with their game play?
Tom and Alex… who revealed they were a real-life couple and we literally had no idea! I know I couldn’t have played the game with my wife in there… it became clear that Tom’s focus did improve after Alex left.
Filming finished in June but the show didn’t air until late November 2022… did you think it would be such a hit with TV audiences?
It was strange sitting on it for so long. It’s one of those things you only really understand if you’ve been through it, so I used to meet up with Amos, a fellow contestant who lives near me, and we’d talk about the show together. We knew the producers had invested money in the show and obviously it was big that Claudia Winkleman was the host, but we didn’t really know how it would be received. Maybe the producers did… immediately after we filmed the final, we found them sobbing and saying: “That’s the best moment on TV we’ve ever created”. We certainly didn’t think it would win a BAFTA though!
How did you feel about not winning?
I felt relief… I loved those three still there at the end (Aaron, Hannah and Meryl) and I think it would have been harder to progress after the show if I’d won as a traitor. It’s changed my life and opened so many doors. I love that people recognise me and want to talk about the show – although it was impossible to finish my Christmas shopping after the final aired on 22 December!
Next year, you’re joining Cruise Croatia for something special, tell us about that?
It’s a murder mystery sailing, with guests getting bumped off on a cabin-by-cabin basis. It takes place on a seven-night cruise, departing from Dubrovnik on 10 August, 2024, and we’ll be sailing to the beautiful islands of Korcula, Hvar and Vis, before it ends in Split. I’ll be hosting it with the captain. I’ll basically play the Claudia role, setting the tasks and watching it pan out from the sidelines. Some of the tasks will take place on land so it’ll be a really immersive experience. I’ll be able to spend time with everyone onboard… but be warned, I’m not going to drop any hints that will give the game away!
Have you ever cruised before?
Before last year (when I got married in Cyprus) I hadn’t even been abroad! I’m doing my first Croatia coastal cruise very soon to preview the experience with my family, and then we’ll return next summer for the murder mystery cruise.
What appeals most about Croatia?
Everyone says it’s a gem of the earth. I’m excited to explore different locations, which is the benefit of being onboard a small ship, sailing here and there. I’m excited to dive into that sea… it’ll be my escape. Life has been very intense since The Traitors aired so it’ll be nice to get away from that for a while.
What’s your favourite whodunit moment?
Eastenders’ Who shot Phil Mitchell? That was a big one I remember from when I was young, that and ‘Who Shot Mr Burns?’ in The Simpsons. I love all that – Cluedo is one of my go-to games.
Which other reality show would you like to be in?
With Ivan and Rayan (fellow The Traitors contestants), I host a podcast about competitive reality game shows called ‘It’s just a game’ and we chat about shows like Race Across the World, The Apprentice and Survivor, and they’re all brilliant, but if I had to pick one, I’d pick Celebrity Big Brother, to show everyone what I’m like when I’m not playing a traitor.
Would you do The Traitors again?
I did say I’d never do it again because it was so hard… but actually I would love to go back as a faithful next time.
How to get away with murder on the high seas
Book it: There is still limited availability for the seven-night murder mystery itinerary, which starts in Dubrovnik on August 10 and takes in the islands of Korcula, Vis and Hvar, finishing in Split. Prices start from £1,450pp, which includes half-board with a daily buffet breakfast and either a three-course lunch or dinner, private transfers and escorted excursions including an oyster farm in Ston, wine tasting in Hvar and tours of Trogir, Korcula and Split. There's an optional, extra tour to explore the Blue Cave, a natural wonder near Hvar.
The ship has an onboard sundeck with a splash pool, while the itinerary includes daily swim stops and guests have complimentary use of paddle boards, sea kayaks and snorkelling equipment.
The murder mystery at sea will involve guests being bumped off on a cabin-by-cabin basis. But anyone who suffers at the hands of their fellow players will still get to enjoy the rest of their holiday, rather than being made to walk the plank.
The longest-standing player will be rewarded with an all-expenses paid, seven-night, luxury small-ship cruise to Greece, departing in 2025.
cruisecroatia.com/murder-mystery-cruise
Cruise Croatia has recently announced plans to host 20 agents onboard small ship luxury cruises next summer.
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