John Bercow revealed to contestants on the US version of The Traitors that his background in politics will help with deception and ‘backstabbing’.
The former Speaker of the House of Commons and MP is participating in the latest series of the American reality show.
In the first episode, when the contestants introduced themselves, Johnny Bananas of The Challenge fame asked him, “Were you a Member of Parliament?”
Mr Bercow admitted he was and when the show cut to his confession he said: ‘I’m a retired politician.
“Backstabbing and deceit are all parts of a politician’s life.
Mr Bercow admitted he was a former British politician and later revealed in his confession that this could help him in the competition
Mr Bercow was not singled out as a traitor, but that did not stop other people from suspecting him
‘Over the years I have developed a talent for detecting those who, quite frankly, are trying to deceive, to defraud, for material gain.’
The premise of the show is that celebrities compete for a prize.
People are randomly and secretly selected as ‘traitors’ and it is up to the rest of the participants to work together to find out who they are.
If any traitors make it to the end of the show, the loyal members lose while the ‘evil’ competitors win everything.
Mr. Bercow was not chosen as a traitor, but Dan Gheesling from Big Brother, Phaedra Parks from The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Parvati Shallow from Survivor were selected instead.
But Bercow raised suspicions among his other contestants when Big Brother’s Janelle Pierzina tested him at one point.
He was called in because he had ‘breathing difficulties’, but the former chairman said he was merely asthmatic.
Janelle told Johnny Bananas and Phaedra Parks, “I was sitting next to that John guy and he starts hyperventilating.
‘It wasn’t asthma. I’m also asthmatic.’
Janelle also said that if she died, it would be Mr Bercow who did it because she publicly called him out.
Mr. Bercow received a few votes for elimination, but in the end a former Ru Paul’s Drag Race contestant was voted out
She said, “If I get killed tonight, it’s because I’m the only one besides him who heard it.
‘I’ll tell you right now. For example, if I’m no longer here, you have to make him disappear.’
Mr Bercow defended himself and insisted all their votes had to be based on real evidence.
Later in the show, the vast majority of players chose trans star Peppermint – who appeared on Ru Paul’s Drag Race – as their choice for traitor.
But some voted for Mr Bercow and The Challenge star Trishella Cannatella.
None of the accused participants were actually selected as traitors.
Peppermint was voted off and some contestants complained about feeling ‘guilty’, especially Trishella who helped remove the Drag Race star with her accusations.