John McManus

**John McManus** is a Faithful from *The Traitors (UK)/Series 1*.

## Profile

*Retrieved from BBC:*

**Name:** John

**Age:** 49

**Job title:** Spa Therapist

**Location:** Edinburgh

**Why did you apply to be on this brand-new reality series?**
I was scrolling on social media one day in between my day job and the advertisement came out, the title really grabbed me. When I read the article, I thought it sounded like a really interesting experience, something that's never been done before and I liked the fact that they were doing it in Scotland. I sent a little video and thought nothing else of it, it was a bit of a whirlwind. The location being Scotland is what drew me to it as well, being a Scotsman, I've lived in London for a long time and I'd moved back just 18 months ago and if I was lucky enough to be the winner, winning something in my homeland, I'd be the king of the castle, the King of Scotland.

**What interested you about the concept?**
I think it is because you cannot trust anyone at all, and this whole concept is devised around deception, lies and not being able to trust people. Everyone tells little white lies every now and again but if you are a Traitor you're having to hide that from everybody but still show that you're a willing contestant to participate and engage in all the activities. That really intrigued me, and whichever team I'm on I think it will be really, really exciting. Also, I like a challenge. I like puzzles and outdoor sports. I’m very active in that field so the show ticked every box for me.

**If you are a Traitor, how would you feel? How good is your poker face?**
I come from a theatre background, which is another point where I would have the upper hand. I had gone to London and worked in musical theatre. I've been used to the situation where you’re not portraying yourself, you're playing a character. That’s what I found even more interesting, to see if I could challenge myself to be me, but not be me. If I am a Traitor and fool them into believing that I'm one of the team whilst I'm eliminating them one by one, I'd like to think I could do that in a really nice way. A smiling assassin! I might kill them with kindness!!

**Do you have a game plan?**
I don't think you can have a game plan on something like this because you don't know what's going to be thrown at you. There are going to be different obstacles and events and challenges. The only game plan that I have at the minute is not to disclose that I have had professional training because people may misconstrue that as if I've got the upper hand. My game plan is to be myself, to be outgoing, part of the team and throw myself into every task and every challenge, and to be liked. I'm just going to be me - honest John, that's my name! That's the nature that I've got. I'm a personable person, I want to get on, and just see how it pans out. The minute you start changing the way that you are as a person, especially in this heightened atmosphere in this sort of game, people are going to smell your fear or notice something odd and different about you.

**How good would you be at deceiving your fellow players?**
I think I'd be very good at deceiving my fellow players because of my theatre background, I'm used to being somebody else on stage. When I'm on stage I'm playing a character, it doesn't matter if you're in an ensemble, or you're playing the lead, you're still somebody else on that stage. I'll be looking for people who are playing the game but not being themselves and I think I'm quite good at spotting that, so I'd be good at being a Traitor. I'll have to make sure that I withdraw all my theatrical-isms without changing who I am as a person. You've got to be able to be seen and be bright and engaging, no one wants a weeping willow, and no one wants the centrepiece to be in your face. I’ve got to be somebody in between, that's being proactive, that's helping, that's participating, that's a team player, not too quiet but not too boisterous. There's a happy medium of what I think I'm going to have to be.

**If you’re Faithful, what will your game plan be? How good are you at spotting a liar?**
If I'm Faithful, it’s all about reading people's reaction. It's about observing, acting and watching. I’ll be watching not only what's happening in front of me but what's happening beside me, and to the left, and to the right, because other people give away information. If you’re a Traitor, and you tell everyone you’re a Faithful and you're not showing any emotion whatsoever when people walk in at breakfast because you know you're the one who’s got rid of someone, then it’s going to show.

**If you do win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?**
I'm going to be 50 so I really want to do something well with it, I'd like to go and travel. With my job being both a spa therapist and being an actor, it’s restricted me from doing things because I'm always waiting by the phone, especially for the acting. I've put my career before anything else and now that I'm at the age that I am, it's time for me to do something for myself. My dad needs a bit more care so financially that would also be a huge help.

## Post-Game

* On December 15, 2023, John pleaded guilty to two charges of assault against restaurant workers, which took place at a Leith restaurant on May 7, 2023. The Edinburgh Sheriff Court ordered John to pay a waitress he assaulted £600 in compensation, and was fined £470 for the attacks.

## References

1. ↑ The Traitors - Meet the contestants | BBC Media Centre — November 25, 2022
2. ↑ The Traitors Edinburgh star punched and kicked Leith restaurant staff in unprovoked attack | Edinburgh Live — January 13, 2024