The Traitors Star James Baker Honors Friend And Football Roots

In the world of British reality television, contestants often become household names for their strategic gameplay or dramatic confrontations. But sometimes, a simple gesture—a T-shirt, a football club allegiance, or a heartfelt tribute—can reveal far more about the people behind the personas. For James Baker, a 38-year-old gardener and poker enthusiast from Weymouth, Dorset, his journey on the BBC’s hit series The Traitors has been defined as much by his emotional depth as by his cunning in the game.

On January 21, 2026, viewers of The Traitors noticed James sporting a grey T-shirt adorned with white guitars during one of the tense Round Table discussions. The shirt, paired with a vibrant yellow, blue, and pink checked overshirt, quickly became a talking point—not for its fashion, but for its poignant backstory. As reported by The Tab, James later revealed on Instagram that the shirt was no ordinary wardrobe choice. It belonged to a close friend who had passed away far too soon, and wearing it was his way of honoring her memory. "For those of you who know me and my family… This T-shirt was given to me by a truly incredible human being, who was taken from us far, far too soon. As truly heartbreaking as it is that she never got to share this bonkers adventure which she’d have bloody loved, I was glad to carry a little piece of her along with me for the ride," James wrote, his words resonating with fans and fellow contestants alike.

The emotional undertones of this season have been hard to ignore. James’s tribute is only one of several deeply personal stories to emerge from the castle’s stone walls. Amanda, a police detective and fellow contestant, opened up about her own loss, sharing that another player, Reece, reminded her of her late brother, who died in 2011 at the age of 32. "I was sadly up against Reece who reminded me of my brother who sadly passed away in 2011 at the age of 32. He just looked like him, so it made it more difficult because I had a really good friendship with him. He was like a little brother," Amanda recounted on the series’ companion show, Uncloaked. The grief was palpable, with Amanda explaining that her family had endured much heartache, especially after the death of her father a few years ago. "My sisters are amazing, caring for [my mum] and always being there," she added.

Tragedy, it seems, has touched more than one contestant. Jade, another participant, shared the devastating story of losing both her mother and sister in a murder-suicide after they moved back to Hong Kong. Such revelations have given this season of The Traitors an unexpected emotional gravity, reminding viewers that behind the game’s deception and suspense, real lives and real pain are never far from the surface.

Yet, James’s story is not only one of loss, but also of loyalty and tradition—most notably in his unwavering support for Coventry City Football Club. According to CoventryLive, James has been a devoted Sky Blues supporter since he was eight years old, a passion ignited in the mid-1990s during the era of footballer Peter Ndlovu and the iconic Ribero Peugeot shirt. "A lot of my family have Midlands roots and when I was a youngster everyone supported Manchester United in the Eric Cantona era, collar up in the playground etc, and although I quite liked doing that there was always something about Coventry, for me," James explained in his signature West Country accent.

His allegiance was cemented by a dramatic match at Anfield in 1995, where Coventry City triumphed over Liverpool thanks to a hat-trick from Ndlovu. "My uncle and a lot of my family were Liverpool fans and they tried to push that onto me and bought me the shirts with Fowler and Rush on the back. Anyway, my uncle was so persistent and in the end I said to him that I would decide on the outcome of a match. Coventry were playing Liverpool at Anfield, I think it was 1995, and I said whoever wins this game, I promise I will support them and stick to it. The odds weren’t good, obviously, and Liverpool were 2-0 up. Cue a Peter Ndlovu hat-trick and that was it! The rest is history," he recalled.

James’s love for the club is more than just a childhood fancy; it’s a lifelong obsession. He boasts a collection of replica Coventry City shirts dating back to that first Ribero shirt, with only the elusive 2003/04 yellow Subaru kit missing from his wardrobe. "I have every replica shirt since that Ribero shirt. I think it’s only the 2003/04 yellow Subaru one I haven’t got. I can’t find it anywhere," he lamented. His matchday experiences span the beloved Highfield Road—"You can never beat Highfield Road, done the Thackhall Street shuffle a few times!"—to the Ricoh Arena, which he now considers home. Despite living in Dorset, he attends many away games in the South and follows every match on radio and TV.

James’s Sky Blue pride caught the attention of the club itself. After reaching out to Coventry City via stadium announcer John Dalziel, he’s now been invited to attend a game and participate in the half-time "Kick it for a Ticket" competition, where fans attempt to score goals from increasing distances. "I would love to come to a game and have a go at the Kick it for a Ticket. I have a decent leg peg, used to play Dorset senior league level, nothing too high. But I used to take free-kicks and stuff so I can boot the ball quite hard. I am setting myself up for failure now," James quipped to CoventryLive.

His footballing heroes have evolved over the years. While Peter ‘Nuddy’ Ndlovu was his first idol, James now heaps praise on current stars like Tats Sakamoto—"I love the guy"—as well as Milan, Rushworth, Josh Eccles, and Simms. He admires the team’s resilience and hopes to see Coventry City return to the Premier League, envisioning a future where they play stylish, identity-driven football reminiscent of clubs like Brentford and Swansea.

James Baker’s journey on The Traitors has captivated audiences not just for his strategic prowess, but for the depth of feeling he brings to the screen. Whether honoring a lost friend with a simple T-shirt or sharing his lifelong devotion to Coventry City, James has reminded viewers that beneath the game’s intrigue lies a story of love, loss, and loyalty—a story that resonates far beyond the castle walls.