A lesson from the Traitors? ...trusting your gut is an excellent thing to be reminded of

New Perthshire-born artistic director Alan Cumming kicks off Scots theatre's 75th season with global energy and talent

- STUART MCFARLANE

As the UK still basks in the glow of Traitors fever, Perthshire-born Alan Cumming admits being part of the show's rise across the globe has been a triumph in trusting your gut.

The 60-year-old - who has scooped a BAFTA, five Emmy's, two Tony's and an Olivier Award during a glittering career on stage and screen to date - was named as the host of the US version of the smash-hit show back in 2023.

The celebrity-based American version of the show, which first came to prominence in the UK, has proved a ratings hit in the US on the Peacock network and has now completed three full series - with the show renewed for two more seasons in August this year.

They will include a fully civilian version for the first time in season five - but for Cumming, he just admits he's delighted to be along for the ride working on a show which has swept to global attention.

Cumming, who has returned to Perthshire to take over the helm of Pitlochry Theatre for its 75th season, told the Advertiser: "I'm very proud of being part of that show.

"I took on the job of Traitors host despite not really doing anything like that before, hosting a competition and reality show, but I realised I could play a character in it and make it theatrical; I'm also a producer on the show and have an input in it.

"It's been this huge success and I know how big it has been in Britain, but it's probably even bigger, and people go even more nuts about it, in America.

"I think the idea of sticking with your gut and taking a chance on something because you have a good feeling about it is an excellent thing to be reminded of and that's what The Traitors has done for me.

"Pitlochry has been the same for me, it was a left field option as well - and it's not been without its challenges - but it's been very exciting that people are getting what I want to do and that's really heartening."