Dermot O’Leary’s Surprising Link to The Traitors Star

In a broadcast on January 16, 2026, This Morning host Dermot O’Leary shared a surprising personal connection to one of the most memorable contestants from the BBC’s hit reality show, The Traitors. While discussing the series with guest Sarah Parish, Dermot recounted the exact moment he realized he had a history with Maddy Smedley, the fan-favorite Faithful from the show's first series.

The revelation sparked a wave of nostalgia as Dermot linked his current ITV role back to his legendary tenure on The X Factor.

The X Factor Connection

Dermot’s "aha!" moment didn't come from meeting Maddy herself on a red carpet, but rather through a decade-old professional relationship with her family. He revealed that Maddy’s sister, Rosie, worked as his personal runner during his time hosting The X Factor in the late 2000s.

Dermot recalled meeting Maddy when she was just a young actress starting out. He described the surreal experience of sitting at home in 2022 watching The Traitors and suddenly realizing he recognized the woman on the screen who was busy accusing everyone in the castle of being a Traitor

Maddy Smedley: From the Castle to the Screen

Maddy Smedley became a household name for her relentless pursuit of Traitor Wilf Webster. Since her time on the show, she has successfully transitioned into a busy acting career. In early 2026, she appeared in the second series of the ITV sitcom Piglets, starring alongside Sarah Parish.

Just weeks before Dermot’s revelation on This Morning, Maddy also made her debut on the BBC medical drama Casualty in January 2026. She played the role of Bethany Chimes, a patient suffering from severe burns, in a performance that fans and critics praised for raising awareness about melanoma. While she had small roles in EastEnders and Hollyoaks before her reality TV fame, Dermot’s story confirms she was part of the wider "television family" long before she entered the Scottish Highlands.

2026: The Year of The Traitors

Dermot’s comments came at a peak moment for the franchise. The fourth series of the civilian version concluded in January 2026, making history when two Traitors, Rachel Duffy and Stephen Libby, managed to win as a team for the first time.

Additionally, rumors have been swirling that Dermot’s co-host, Alison Hammond, is a frontrunner for the highly anticipated Celebrity Traitors later in 2026. While Alison has teased fans about the possibility, Dermot’s connection to the original series serves as a reminder of how small the world of British entertainment can be.

Source - https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/mornings-dermot-oleary-reveals-moment-33248263

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