Why did you decide to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Because – I’m going to say it - it’s the best show on TV. The first series was just such phenomenally good television, and I didn’t think that it could be bettered, and then the celeb series came along. The last episode was beautiful. That first year I sent a DM on Twitter, which was not responded to, to Studio Lambert to ask if they could send me all the rushes. I just was so hit by it and wanted more. I am just thrilled to be part of the universe of The Traitors and to have been asked. I have no idea how to play it. I don't think you can particularly. I think you just have to let it play itself a little bit.

Have you spoken to anyone that did it last year?

I texted Joe Wilkinson and asked, ‘what are the toilet facilities like in the castle?’ and he said, ‘they’re fine unless you went in after Claudia.’ So there we go. I asked Alan Carr for advice of ‘how to spot a rotten little Traitor like you’ and he said, ‘just anyone that's sweating and giggling.’

Do you want to be a Traitor or a Faithful?

Both. I want to start as a Faithful and then be converted. I think I’d find it very stressful being a Traitor, but I think you only get one chance to have a go at it, don't you?

You do so many things that shine a light on social injustices and you have campaigned for so much good, might we see a treacherous side to you?

I think I'll enjoy either role. Being a Faithful is probably a much nicer experience because you don't have all the cognitive load of having to lie all the time, and you get to go to bed earlier.

But you don’t get a cloak. However, you're known for your brightly coloured, flamboyant outfits so it would be a shame to cover those. Have you got some good looks for the castle?

I think so. There's a lot of variety and silly stuff that I might not get to wear at all if I end up doing a Paloma. I’ll just wear them for the supermarket shop if that happens.

Do you see yourself as more of a leader, a team player, or a lone wolf?

It depends on the context. I sometimes lead teams when I do TV shows, things like that. You're kind of the head of the ship, but I have been described by friends as a lone wolf because I really love my own company and I'm not very reactive, so I don't respond in the moment to things. I will take information in, and then I'll go away and think about it, and then respond with a year to 10 year long campaign to destroy the person who's wronged me.

How do you feel about taking on the Missions?

That's the bit I'm most excited about. I've been trying to get fitter and stronger over the last few months, just for my own well-being and to be a better father and all of that. I'm incredibly strong now. As strong as an ox. Fierce as well. As fierce as a tiger. As agile as a fish. A fish that is agile.

How do you think your public persona will affect how others perceive you and treat you in the game?

So, when I started doing stand-up, my on and off-stage persona were quite similar. I showed off at parties because I wanted attention and then, gradually, as I got that attention through doing stand-up, I could calm down in real life. When I’m not out on stage I’m very calm, thoughtful and peaceful. I think the comics know what I'm like on and off stage, but I think the others who, for the first time, will spend time with me not in ‘show mode’ might see that as suspicious. I definitely come across assumptions of ‘oh, he's the gay comedian off the telly’ and I explain I've got a female partner and a son with said female partner. I’m really quite a tranquil individual when not in performance mode which may surprise some.

(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge)

Interview supplied by publicists