The Traitors winner Stephen Libby confesses his flamboyant outfits were all part of his gameplan but will his sharp sense of style lead to a new career?

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Stephen Libby arrived at the Traitors castle looking the part, sporting a sharp, blue jacket that hinted he was there to win.

Every week, the stylish Scotsman appeared in unusual and eye-catching outfits, grabbing the attention of both the other racers and those watching at home.

He made a striking impression with bright, mismatched clothing – wildly flared pants, swirling psychedelic shirts, and skin-tight jumpsuits. He wore it all with confidence, and it was clear this wasn’t a random look – it was carefully planned.

He deliberately adopted a flamboyant style, much like director Baz Luhrmann, as a clever way to mislead those who suspected him of being a traitor. And it worked!

After winning £47,875 on the popular BBC show, the 32-year-old contestant from the Isle of Lewis revealed on the show’s companion program, Uncloaked, that he was worried his youthful appearance and tendency to blush would give him away before entering the castle.

He tried to deflect attention from his lies with an outlandish fashion choice: extremely large shirt collars and high-waisted jeans. The idea was to distract people with his unusual style, hoping they wouldn’t focus on what he was saying.

He might have been easily overlooked without his striking style, but his fashionable appearance helped him stand out. ‘I’m passionate about fashion and believe it’s a great way to make people feel more comfortable and open-minded about how they present themselves,’ he explained.

It successfully drew attention away from people’s faces and kept their gaze focused downwards.

Even a brilliant strategy wouldn’t have been enough without his genuinely warm and charming personality, which had a way of making his opponents feel comfortable.

It’s likely not a surprise that he formed a strong partnership with Rachel Duffy, 42, another contestant who betrayed the group. This alliance helped them win a share of the £95,750 prize, as nearly ten million people watched on television.

Host Claudia Winkleman playfully described two players as ‘Two Traitors who stayed loyal to each other.’ She then noted that the idea of ‘Loyal Traitors’ is perfect from a marketing perspective.

But Libby brought an extra dimension with those clothes.

This person combines intelligence with a strong sense of style, making them a perfect fit for brand managers and TV producers who prioritize visual appeal.

Even fashion icon Claudia Winkleman took a backseat at the Stephen Libby fashion show, playing a supporting role instead of being the main focus.

Everyone is now wondering what Libby will do next after his surprising victory. Although filming finished months ago, he’s only just beginning to fully realize the impact of his win, especially with all the recent media attention.

Since being on the show, the Glasgow University languages graduate has made a big change in his life. He left his job as a cyber security consultant because he wanted to pursue something he truly enjoys and that would bring him happiness.

He explained that he’s been working since he was fifteen and has always put in a lot of effort. He worked two jobs throughout college, so he sees this as a chance to take a short break and recharge. He simply wants to relax and give himself some time to rest.

If that proves to be in showbusiness, he is well set up.

Daniel Quirke, his partner, is both an actor and a painter. They’re also good friends with up-and-coming comedian Lou Sanders.

He admitted he knew people working in that field, but emphasized it wasn’t his area of expertise or lifestyle. He simply wasn’t familiar with it.

I’m hoping to find work that truly fulfills me. While I haven’t disliked my cybersecurity job, I haven’t felt a strong passion for it either.

As someone who’s always been driven by my passions, I truly believe finding work you love is a real gift. It’s not something everyone experiences, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue what genuinely excites me. It’s about aligning your career with what truly matters to you, and that’s a feeling worth striving for.

Once things calm down, I plan to take some time to figure out what truly makes me happy. But should we really believe him when he says he doesn’t want to be in the entertainment industry? The difficulty with winning a game like ‘The Traitors,’ which relies on lies and betrayal, is that it’s impossible to know if anyone is being honest.

If his confidence is just a show, he’s handled the sudden media attention remarkably well. He’s quickly gained a large following online as a stylish and openly gay figure, and a recent connection with a famous celebrity suggests even greater opportunities are on the horizon.

He was surprised during a series of TV and radio interviews when members of the famous boyband Take That unexpectedly asked him for a selfie.

Last week on his Radio 2 breakfast show, Scott Mills brought Libby together with Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen. The group immediately burst into applause, and Gary Barlow excitedly said they were thrilled to meet her. They connected so well that Libby spontaneously invited them to visit her hometown of Stornoway, joking that her mother had already invited many people from London.

Libby is currently enjoying his newfound popularity, but to maintain it, he’ll need to capitalize on his success quickly while he’s still in demand.

He’s naturally charming and has a youthful appearance, so he’s likely to find doors opening for him, much like past winners have experienced.

PR expert Mark Borkowski said Libby is a public relations success story, as long as people don’t overreact and turn her into a predictable trend.

Honestly, I totally get why he’d say that about the clothes! It’s like, the outfits aren’t just clothes, you know? They scream confidence and happiness, and a little bit of ‘I don’t care what you think!’ – which is amazing. And when you add how comfortable he is in front of the camera… it just works. It’s everything, seriously. It creates something truly special.

Fashion provides a natural path for his work, allowing him to create shows based on what he observes or experiences while traveling, and letting his genuine interest guide the process.

He cautioned that while game shows and reality TV spin-offs can offer quick success, lasting success in television usually depends on knowing when to pass on opportunities.

Several past champions of the popular BBC show, which has been a highlight of its programming since 2022, have gone on to careers in entertainment.

Consider Harry Clark, the winner of series 2 who took home £95,150. He now co-hosts a popular podcast with another Traitors contestant, Paul Gorton, titled ‘Harry and Paul’s Guide to Life’.

A former British Army engineer from Slough, Berkshire, currently lives with his parents. He’s well-known for presenting many short films on BBC’s The One Show and recently hosted a film in Normandy commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, as part of a concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

He’s caught the reality TV bug and is keen to appear on shows like ‘I’m A Celebrity.’ He’s already been on several, including ‘Pilgrimage,’ ‘Michael McIntyre’s Big Show,’ ‘Celebrity Antiques Road Trip,’ ‘Saturday Mash Up,’ ‘The Weakest Link,’ and for Comic Relief.

He was removed from the show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins last year when the team thought he hadn’t been honest during a challenge that relied on trust.

Aaron Evans, who used to be an estate agent, won the first series of a show with Hannah Byczkowski and Meryl Williams. They split a prize of £101,050. Later, Evans appeared on the TV shows Celebrity Mastermind and First Dates, where he shared that he’d given his mother £33,000 of his winnings, but then asked for £3,000 back because he was short on money.

In 2024, he also appeared in the US version of Love Island.

I was so thrilled to hear about Byczkowski’s win! She actually left her job because they wouldn’t give her the time off to film The Traitors. Now, she’s bravely pursuing her dream of becoming a comedian, and I’m completely rooting for her!

She co-hosts the podcast Ghost Huns and has also been on TV shows like Celebrity Weakest Link and ITV’s Stand Up Sketch Show.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, the winner shared advice for others, explaining the prize money provided a helpful financial boost. However, she cautioned that people often assume success continues effortlessly after the show ends, when in reality, the real work begins.

Unlike her colleague, Rachel Duffy, who handles communications, Libby’s associate doesn’t plan to leave her job or return to television. Duffy, originally from Newry, Northern Ireland, has actually written a fantasy novel aimed at young adults and is hoping her current notoriety will help her get it published.

If Libby finds the entertainment world too tempting to resist, he has several people who will support him. One source of strength is his personal story: growing up gay in the small, conservative town of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, he kept his struggles private for many years.

I was really touched when he shared his story on the show. It meant a lot to hear him talk about struggling with self-acceptance as a teenager – he actually said he ‘hated himself’ for a long time, and it felt so brave and relatable. It definitely made me, and I think a lot of other people, connect with him on a deeper level.

‘I lost my teenage years going to church, trying to pray myself normal,’ he added.

Libby has spoken fondly of his parents – his mother Nicola, a nurse, and his father Donald, a butcher and artist who makes sculptures from driftwood – saying they gave him and his brother a wonderful upbringing. After moving to London eight years ago, he cherishes returning to the island, describing it as a peaceful and comforting place where he feels completely relaxed.

He’s also gained a large online following during his time on The Traitors, with over 283,000 Instagram followers enjoying regular updates about his life with his dog, Quirke, and his passion for travel – he’s visited places like Japan, Vietnam, Spain, and the US.

Having a partner in the trade, who knows its highs and lows, could stand him in good stead.

He’s been with actor Sam Quirke, known for his roles in Netflix series like The Sandman and Geek Girl, since 2022. Through the relationship, he’s met many people in the acting world. The couple are also good friends with comedian and actress Sarah Sanders, who recently appeared on Amazon Prime’s Last One Laughing.

TikTok users quickly noticed Bernie Sanders looking surprised in a video Libby shared, after he was first publicly accused of being a ‘Traitor’.

The saying ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’ suggests that networking and personal connections can be crucial for career success.

In the end, it’s Libby’s charming personality and unique style that will really make him stand out.

It takes real confidence to wear a black and white jumpsuit when confronting your opponents at the climax of the show.

Fashion experts immediately loved a standout piece from Palomo Spain’s autumn/winter 2022 collection, and pointed out that Harry Styles had worn a specially made version of it during his concert at Wembley that same year.

He also designed striking outfits for Ardross Castle, including a bold red kilt, stylish knitted pieces, and flowing wide-leg trousers, prompting one fashion expert to call the show ‘the most fashionable season so far’.

According to chartered psychologist and fashion author Carolyn Mair, our clothing choices reveal a lot about who we are. She explained to the BBC that Stephen, through his attire, clearly wanted to stand out and be seen by others.

The Traitors is coming back soon, and it’s likely we’ll see its most dramatic player return as well.

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2026-02-03 04:51