Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<p>If you&#8217;re anything like us, the first four weeks of January didn&#8217;t so much <em>happen</em> as get completely devoured by <em>The Traitors</em>. Four weeks of binge-watching, yelling accusations at the TV, and becoming <em>far</em> too emotionally invested in roundtable chaos &#8211; while the grim weather slipped unnoticed. And if that finale&#8217;s left a Traitors-shaped hole in your heart (same), fear not. Muddy&#8217;s Jazzy Tyagi caught up with finalist Jade Scott, who spills the tea on behind-the-scenes friendships, life after the final banishment, and her go-to local spots as a Warwick PhD student. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1200" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott.jpg" alt="Jade Scott from The Traitors" class="wp-image-68428" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-667x800.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-833x1000.jpg 833w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-768x922.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-were-in-the-middle-of-a-phd-at-warwick-when-you-applied-for-the-traitors-what-possessed-you-to-swap-the-labs-for-a-scottish-castle-full-of-liars-was-it-a-why-not-moment-or-a-carefully-plotted-move">You were in the middle of a PhD at Warwick when you applied for <em>The Traitors</em>. What possessed you to swap the labs for a Scottish castle full of liars? Was it a “why not?” moment or a carefully plotted move?</h3>



<p>Definitely more of a <em>why not</em> reason – I spend a lot of time studying and education can become an all-consuming bubble. I love <em>The Traitors</em>, so while watching it I thought maybe this is something I could do, next thing I know, I&#8217;m on the show. I also play a lot of video games so I was hoping that would give me an edge as well!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-were-there-any-moments-that-made-you-think-this-is-absolutely-bonkers-what-have-i-signed-up-for">Were there any moments that made you think, “This is absolutely bonkers, what have I signed up for?” </h3>



<p>Absolutely, I think this thought occurred to me at every mission when we were told what to do. I don’t think any of it made me panic per se, but it is just ridiculous and everyone who is there with you is laughing too.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-The-Traitors.jpg" alt="The Traitors finale" class="wp-image-68447" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-The-Traitors.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-The-Traitors-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-The-Traitors-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-The-Traitors-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Instagram: @jadiethscott</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-did-you-genuinely-bond-with-in-the-castle-did-any-real-friendships-survive-the-murders-or-was-everyone-permanently-in-game-mode">Who did you genuinely bond with in the castle? Did any real friendships survive the murders, or was everyone permanently in game mode?</h3>



<p>I made some of the most amazing friendships with different people inside the castle and as a group I&#8217;d say we were all pretty tight. But when it came to the roundtable, that&#8217;s when things meant business. Other than that, everyone was a right laugh, so game mode was pretty sparse. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-walk-back-into-normal-life-in-warwick-after-the-finale-airs-what-happens-recognition-in-the-coffee-queue-dms-going-feral-or-was-it-back-to-the-phd-grind-shockingly-fast">You walk back into normal life in Warwick after the finale airs – what happens? Recognition in the coffee queue? DMs going feral? Or was it back to the PhD grind shockingly fast?</h3>



<p>Normal life? That&#8217;s sort of&#8230;gone. I am frequently recognised in day-to-day life, whether that be in the coffee queue, the gym, or even the train. As for the PhD grind, that never stops. Life is <em>pretty</em> normal, there&#8217;s just a lot more chaos, but I&#8217;m not complaining. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-quietly-become-a-bit-of-a-style-icon-off-the-back-of-the-show-did-you-expect-that">You’ve quietly become a bit of a style icon off the back of the show. Did you expect that? </h3>



<p>I honestly didn&#8217;t expect it at all. I&#8217;ve always dressed a little differently because I&#8217;m a multifaceted person – I dress for what the day demands. If it&#8217;s work, I&#8217;m sharper; if it&#8217;s gaming, I&#8217;m more relaxed. Either way, it always feels like me. I just wasn&#8217;t prepared for people to love it quite so much – but what a brilliant surprise that was. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-lived-and-studied-in-the-area-for-years-where-do-you-actually-hang-out-favourite-warwick-leamington-coventry-spots-for-food-and-drinks">You’ve lived and studied in the area for years – where do you actually hang out? Favourite Warwick / Leamington / Coventry spots for food and drinks? </h3>



<p>It&#8217;s been a whopping 8 years so far and I have to say Leamington is more my stomping ground. With more coffee shops than you can shake a stick at, it&#8217;s perfect for study dates or catch-ups with pals. And when we fancy a pint or two, my course mates and I usually make a beeline for <a href="https://www.warwicksu.com/terracebar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">T-Bar</a> on campus. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Natsuya-1.jpg" alt="Natsuya" class="wp-image-68443" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Natsuya-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Natsuya-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Natsuya-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Natsuya-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Natsuya</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-there-a-proper-under-the-radar-bar-cafe-or-restaurant-you-always-recommend-to-friends-and-now-our-readers-no-gatekeeping">Is there a proper under-the-radar bar, café or restaurant you always recommend to friends (and now our readers)? No gatekeeping.</h3>



<p>My favourite foodie spot though is <a href="https://www.natsuya.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natsuya</a> on the high street for a pint of Asahi and black sesame ice cream. The soupy ramen/rice dish is another fave (and would definitely recommend). </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-The-Traitors-1.jpg" alt="The Traitors finale" class="wp-image-68446" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-The-Traitors-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-The-Traitors-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-The-Traitors-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2026/02/Jade-Scott-The-Traitors-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Instagram: @jadiethscott</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-phd-focuses-on-women-s-health-and-pregnancy-where-do-you-want-that-to-take-you-next-and-has-the-traitors-opened-doors-you-d-never-previously-considered">Your PhD focuses on women’s health and pregnancy – where do you want that to take you next? And has The Traitors opened doors you’d never previously considered?</h3>



<p>I love research – but I&#8217;m not wedded to a single path. A post-doc is the traditional next step, and it&#8217;s something I&#8217;ve considered, but with funding as tight as it is, those roles are increasingly rare. So my doors are wide open. I&#8217;d happily take my research skills into industry, or into science and education communication. Alongside that, I&#8217;m co-founder of FEM., a women&#8217;s nutrition bar designed to support every stage of the menstrual cycle. It&#8217;s rooted in my research passion, but allows me to make an impact in an undeserved space – and if there&#8217;s an opportunity to run with, I&#8217;m the type to go the full mile (as you&#8217;ve seen on <em>The Traitors</em>). </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finally-what-did-the-traitors-teach-you-about-yourself-and-be-honest-would-you-recommend-it-or-warn-people-to-run-a-mile">Finally – what did <em>The Traitors</em> teach you about yourself? And be honest: would you recommend it…or warn people to run a mile?</h3>



<p><em>The Traitors</em> taught me confidence. After eight years in higher education, it&#8217;s easy to live in a bubble – PhD life can be all-consuming and your work becomes your world. The show reminded me that my confidence exists well beyond academia. Watching it back, I could see it too: I barely recognised the person in episode one in comparison to the woman who made it to the final. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more">Want more?</h2>



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From campus to castle: Warwick’s Jade Scott on life after The Traitors

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