Sebastian Croft believes being gay could be an advantage in The Traitors
The actor, 24, and comedian Romesh Ranganathan, 48, were crowned the winners of the BBC reality game show.
Celebrity Traitors winner Sebastian Croft has suggested being gay could be an advantage to contestants taking part in the BBC reality game show.
The dramatic conclusion of the hit show saw the Heartstopper actor and comedian Romesh Ranganathan emerge victorious.
He joined other gay Traitors winners including comedian Alan Carr from the first celebrity version and Leanne Quigley and Stephen Libby from the civilian series.
Speaking to The Times, the 24-year-old said that “there’s an element of not being sure whether you’re gonna be accepted as a queer person entering any room, lots of [gay] people become good at having coping mechanisms for getting to know people, or feeling like they’re not a threat”.
Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the hit series sees 21 celebrity contestants try to seek out the traitors among them who “kill off” players in the middle of the night.
Speaking about his own experience coming out, Croft said that “on the whole, everyone was supportive” when it came to sharing his sexuality with his family.
However, he added: “I’ve been emotionally and physically threatened because of my sexuality, had people reject me as a person.
“And that’s the good end of the spectrum. Which is why I’ve ended up wanting to champion queer refugees.”
After winning the £83,000 prize pot for their chosen charities, Croft donated his £41,500 share to the charity Choose Love and Ranganathan to the Refugee Council.
Choose Love, a global humanitarian organisation and movement, formerly known as Help Refugees, supports refugees and displaced people around the world through emergency aid and long-term support.
However, the pair received criticisms online for their chosen charities, with the BBC confirming it received complaints.
Croft began his acting career while still at school, making his television debut as young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones.
Croft said he was then “ostracised and bullied” over his sexuality and acting, eventually leaving school aged 16.
After leaving Heartstopper in 2023 he turned his attention to music and on Friday released his debut EP – The Great Forever – and announced his first European tour.
On Sunday night he will also make his debut television performance on Strictly Come Dancing, where he will sing his recent single Everything Always Now.