Amanda Collier, a former Detective Chief Inspector who rose to fame on the BBC's hit series The Traitors, has revealed that appearing on the show may have saved her life after a pre-filming medical check uncovered a serious heart condition.
A Life-Saving Discovery
The 57-year-old from Brighton explained that ahead of entering the Scottish castle for the show's fourth series, she underwent a routine health screening. This included a CT scan which revealed a significant, previously undiagnosed heart issue that runs in her family.
Amanda stated she was 'very, very grateful' to the programme's creators, as she would otherwise have remained unaware of the problem. 'If I hadn’t had the scan I would still be running around doing what I’ve always done – such as half marathons which put a massive strain on your heart,' she told the BBC.
Lifestyle Changes and Advocacy
Following the diagnosis, the retired police officer has made substantial changes to her lifestyle. She is now on a course of medication, receives regular check-ups via the NHS, and has altered her fitness regime.
She has swapped long-distance running for short, high-intensity workouts like HIIT classes. Amanda has also become an advocate for the British Heart Foundation, using her platform to raise awareness. 'I want to tell people heart disease doesn’t have an age… young people get it,' she said. 'It doesn’t have to stop you doing what you love.'
Other Revelations and Fan Theories
This health revelation comes after Amanda recently shared details of a terrifying bike crash in France's Loire Valley in 2022, which she described as causing the 'most pain of [her] life'.
She has also addressed a popular fan theory about a secret connection with fellow contestant Reece. Speaking exclusively to Metro, she clarified: 'We are extremely close, and we will always be, but no, he’s not my son. I wish he was!' She explained Reece reminds her of her late brother, who passed away in 2011.
The Traitors continues on BBC One, with Amanda's story highlighting the unexpected and profound real-life impacts reality television can sometimes have.
