'I felt emotional watching my exit on The Traitors'

BBC / Studio Lambert Claudio Winkleman stood in front of a castle. On her left the castle is set in a bright, sunny background with a peacock and train seen. On her right, the castle is in darkness with an orange glow coming from a fire torch.BBC / Studio Lambert
The show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, is based on a party game where players must uncover the killers before time runs out

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Traitors

A contestant who was banished from Thursday's episode of The Traitors said the emotions came back to him as he watched the broadcast.

Tyler Smith, a barber from Leicester, said he was "so happy" to have been part of "something so special" after appearing in the third series of the show.

He was voted out by his fellow contestants after a tense round table discussion at Ardross Castle in Scotland.

Tyler described his experience on the show as "physically demanding", particularly the elaborate missions that allowed contestants to add to a prize pot of up to £120,000.

BBC / Studio Lambert Tyler Smith smiling in front of a castle. On his left the castle is set in a bright, sunny background. On his right, the castle is in darkness with an orange glow coming from a fire torch.BBC / Studio Lambert
Tyler says he was "obviously" keen to win the money but also wanted to "put on a show"

The 29-year-old said he was persuaded to apply to be on show by his mother while watching the first series.

When asked how it felt to watch his time on the programme back, Tyler said: "Quite surreal to be fair.

"Because obviously I watch it and I get the emotions come back to me that I had when I was there.

"When I saw myself getting upset, I was like, I know exactly how I was feeling and how tired you are as well with the lack of sleep and just everything, the emotions.

"It's just mad because you're feeling it again all now, but I'm so happy with myself that I was in there for the time I was and I was myself."

Tyler said since the show had began to air, members of the public had been coming up to him to share their thoughts on the latest developments.

"Obviously we're not born TV stars or anything like that or we're not reality stars," Tyler told BBC Radio Leicester.

"We've just gone on a game show and that's the kind of effect it's had on people and I'm just so happy I've been part of that.

"We've been part of something so special and people are loving it."

Show 'demanding'

Tyler said he was "nearly sick" following the mission shown in Wednesday's episode which featured three fellow contestants suspended in cages.

"I was up and down this hill like no tomorrow," he said.

"Then obviously it's late nights and you've still got to have your head on your shoulders to know who the traitors are.

"It is demanding but you've got a total prize fund up to £120,000, so you've got to be on it or you're going to get banished or you're going to get murdered."

Tyler, who talked about his passion for birdwatching on the show, also revealed one of his favourite spots was in Leicestershire's Sence Valley, which he used to visit with his grandfather.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.