The much-anticipated special edition of Celebrity Traitors is finally set to grace our screens.

A host of familiar faces will enter the iconic castle for the popular BBC series, assuming the roles of either Faithful or Traitor.

Despite the challenges she continues to face, Codd has found purpose in using her platform to inspire others. She regularly collaborates with organizations promoting accessibility and mental health awareness, emphasizing the importance of body positivity and self-acceptance.

“There’s so much pressure to look perfect,” she said. “Social media can make people feel like they’re not enough. But I’ve learned that confidence isn’t about what you have — it’s about how you carry what you’ve got. If my story can help even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth every bit of pain I went through.”

Codd also shared that humor has been one of her greatest tools for healing. “If I didn’t laugh, I’d cry,” she joked. “I’ve made so many jokes about my leg at this point that I could probably do stand-up comedy.

Laughter has a way of disarming fear — it gives you control back. When I can make people laugh about my situation, it reminds me that I’m still me — just with a little less leg.”

Her resilience and candor have made her a role model for many, though she admits she never set out to be one. “I’m not perfect, and I don’t have all the answers,” she said.

“Some days are brilliant, and others are really tough. But that’s life, right? What matters is that you keep going — even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.”

This includes personalities from the realms of entertainment, sport, music, television and beyond. Among the confirmed participants is Irish actress Ruth Codd.

The 29 year old made her professional acting debut in 2022, starring in Netflix’s thriller series The Midnight Club. She has since featured in other Mike Flanagan-created series for the platform, including The Fall of the House of Usher.

Her acting credits also include Sky TV’s Small Town, Big Story and the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon.

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Ruth Codd began her acting career in Netflix series The Midnight Club(Image: Netflix)

In The Midnight Club, she portrayed Anya, Ilonka’s roommate and a member of the eponymous club. Her character, who had a right lower leg amputation due to bone cancer and used a wheelchair for mobility, resonated with many viewers, reports the Daily Record.

Before her acting career took off, she worked as a makeup artist but lost her job during the Covid pandemic. Turning to TikTok, she began posting videos that caught the public’s attention, leading to audition invitations.

Fans may know that in real life, the star did indeed have her leg amputated at a young age, a personal experience she has previously shared.

Born in Wexford, Ireland, Ruth hurt herself whilst playing football as a teenager and sustained a serious foot injury at the age of 15. Following multiple operations and enduring chronic pain, she ultimately decided at 23 to have her leg amputated.

She has since mastered using a prosthetic limb and continues utilising her platforms to highlight disability awareness. In an interview with the Irish Examiner during 2022, Ruth described her injury as amongst her most significant life obstacles, claiming it consumed ‘eight years of her life.’.

She explained: “My injury is the greatest challenge I’ve faced in my life so far. I injured it playing soccer at the age of 15. It never healed correctly so until I was 23, I was on and off crutches, getting loads of operations.

“Because of nerve damage and chronic pain, I chose to get it amputated. It took eight years of my life, constantly going in and out of hospital.”

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Ruth Codd can be seen in the series of Celebrity Traitors(Image: Netflix)

She added: “My whole life revolved around trying to heal my leg. For years, I didn’t see it getting any better. I was stuck in a really bad mindset and I was pi**** off at life. When I made the decision to amputate it, things finally started to turn around. It was a relief. I could get on my life.

“I was just messing around in school and fell over playing soccer, which is the worst part because I don’t even like soccer. At least I could have gone out in blaze of glory doing something that I loved but – no!”

Ruth Codd, the breakout star of The Traitors and The Fall of the House of Usher, has opened up in a deeply emotional interview about the heartbreaking journey that led to the amputation of her leg.

Known for her fierce confidence, wit, and resilience on screen, Codd revealed the raw and painful truth behind her life-changing medical decision — one she describes as “the only way to save my life.”

The Irish actress and activist, who has become a powerful voice for disability awareness, shared that her amputation stemmed from a devastating injury that spiraled into a complex medical battle.

“It started as a simple accident,” she explained. “I fell and injured my leg badly. What I didn’t realize at the time was that it would set off a chain of events that would completely change my life.

I went through multiple surgeries, months of pain, and countless hospital visits. Eventually, the doctors told me that keeping my leg was no longer an option. It was either the amputation — or risk losing my life.”

Her story is not only one of survival but of extraordinary courage. At just 23 years old, Codd faced a decision most people could never imagine.

“I remember sitting there, hearing those words — ‘we have to amputate.’ Everything just stopped. It felt like my world collapsed. But then I thought about what really mattered: living. I wanted to live. I wanted to be free from the pain. And in that moment, I chose life.”

Following the surgery, the road to recovery was far from easy. The transition from trauma to acceptance took immense strength, both mentally and physically. “The first few months were hell,” she admitted.

“I couldn’t look at my leg without crying. I felt broken. I questioned everything — who I was, what my future would look like, whether anyone would ever see me as whole again. But then, slowly, I began to see that I wasn’t less — I was just different.”

Codd’s honesty about her journey has resonated with fans around the world. She first shared glimpses of her story on social media, using humor, authenticity, and vulnerability to connect with others who’ve faced physical or emotional challenges.

Her openness helped her build a loyal online following, which later led to her casting in Netflix’s The Midnight Club — a role that would propel her into international stardom.

“Acting was never part of the plan,” she said with a laugh. “I was just trying to make people smile, trying to find joy in the chaos.

Then suddenly, I was on a film set, surrounded by amazing people who didn’t see me as ‘the girl with one leg’ — they saw me as an actor, as an equal. That was the real turning point. It made me believe in myself again.”

But fame has not dulled the emotional scars of what she went through. In her latest interview, Codd confessed that she still faces moments of grief and anger. “There are days when I wake up and still feel that loss,” she said quietly. “It’s not just a physical thing — it’s emotional.

You mourn the version of yourself you used to be. But over time, you learn that grief doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you cared deeply about something that was taken from you. And that’s okay.”

Her appearance on BBC’s The Traitors introduced her to an even wider audience, with viewers praising her candor, sense of humor, and authenticity. Many didn’t realize the full extent of what she had endured until she began opening up about it publicly.

“I didn’t want people to pity me,” Codd said firmly. “I wanted them to understand that disability isn’t the end — it’s just a different way of living. I’ve got one leg, but I’ve got twice the fight.”

Beyond acting, Codd has become a vocal advocate for better representation of disabled people in film and television. She has often spoken about how the industry tends to overlook or stereotype individuals with disabilities.

“We’re not just stories of tragedy or inspiration,” she said. “We’re complex, funny, messy, brilliant human beings. We deserve to see ourselves represented that way on screen. I want to be part of that change.”

As she looks to the future, Codd is optimistic about what’s ahead. She recently hinted at new acting projects and expressed a desire to one day write a memoir. “There’s still so much I want to do,” she said.

“I want to tell stories that matter. I want to show that you can go through the worst thing imaginable and still find joy on the other side. Losing my leg didn’t end my life — it gave me a second chance at it.”

Her journey from tragedy to triumph is one that continues to inspire millions. Through her honesty, talent, and unshakeable spirit, Ruth Codd has become not only a rising star in entertainment but also a symbol of strength and self-acceptance.

Her message is simple yet profound: “We don’t get to choose what happens to us, but we do get to choose how we respond. And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do — is simply keep going.”