How Traitors winner became 'proud of disability'

The joint winner of hit TV show The Traitors has revealed how he was "ashamed" of having cerebral palsy when he was a child, but learned to be proud of it.

Jake Brown, from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, and former soldier Leanne Quigley triumphed as the last remaining faithfuls in the final broadcast on BBC One on Friday.

Jake, who revealed he had the condition at the end of the series, told BBC Radio Cumbria he realised he was doing those with a disability a "disservice" by trying to hide it.

The 28-year-old said he was proud of his game-plan of being "true to myself" and the outpouring of support from people in his home town had touched his heart.

"I know the struggles of having a disability growing up and I was very ashamed of it," he said.

"I tried to hide it and wanted to be normal, but once I'd met fellow people with cerebral palsy and started playing football for the England cerebral palsy football team, I realised actually I'm doing a disservice here.

"It's something to be proud of.

He realised he needed to "start spreading awareness", adding: "I don't want another six-year-old boy sat at home thinking 'I hate this disability, I want to be normal'."

Jake said he was planning to spend the prize money on a holiday with his wife Shannon, "because she's my biggest supporter", and helping his mother and father who supported him with his condition.

Finally able to talk about the show, he said: "Honestly it still feels like a dream.

"I can't believe what has just happened. I'm on cloud nine now.

"It has been a real struggle keeping quiet, it's been a lot of pressure, telling literally no-one.

"It was almost like still being in the game and not trusting anyone."

An average audience of 7.4m watched the finale of the third series of the show.

It featured faithfuls Francesca Rowan-Plowden, Alexander Dragonetti, Leanne and Jake go up against the last remaining traitor Charlotte Berman.

After weeks of challenges, murders, roundtables and banishments, the final prize fund stood at £94,600.

Ex-soldier Leanne and project manager Jake were the final two and split the money after revealing they were both faithfuls.

Jake said seeing himself on television was "weird and surreal" and he believes the reason for his success was that he was just himself on the show.

"I was true to myself I'm really proud of how I did.

"That touches my heart to know that everyone was so proud. My game plan was to just be me.

"You've got to love yourself, that's my motto."

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