BBC The Traitors biggest secrets – surprise salary to strict rule they must follow

As the BBC's thrilling game show The Traitors gears up for its highly anticipated return, fans are steeling themselves for another season filled with unexpected plot twists, suspicion, double-crossing and treachery.

Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the murder mystery programme sees 'Faithfuls' and 'Traitors' go head-to-head in a bid to win a cash prize that could reach a staggering £120,000.

However, after the previous two series, eagle-eyed viewers have been left pondering some intriguing questions as they excitedly wait for the dramatic new series and all of the twists and turns it will bring.

Do the contestants get paid?

While contestants aren't officially paid, they do need to take time off work, which results in lost earnings.

To prevent them from suffering financially, they receive a daily allowance of around £100, according to Surrey Live.

Do all the cast apply for the show?

While The Traitors does accept applications through an online process, some cast members are also scouted by the producers. The show's creators prefer genuine participants over fame-seekers to keep the show real.

They sometimes scout people from poker and chess clubs, or fans of strategy games.

Are the Traitors really chosen by Claudia herself?

Claudia Winkleman, known for her distinctive style with fingerless gloves and Fair Isle jumpers, is the undisputed queen of The Traitors and visibly takes charge in choosing who gets to be a Traitor. However, beyond what we see on screen, Claudia does engage with production crew on making these crucial decisions.

Can they contact the outside world?

One rule that is strictly enforced is no contact with the outside world. If the Faithful and Traitors had access to their phones or the internet, they could research each other and potentially gain an unfair advantage.

In certain cases, even the TV remote controls in their hotel rooms are confiscated.

Claire from series one even revealed that cast members are blindfolded and individually walked back to their hotels to avoid speculation about the identities of the Traitors.

Is the breakfast served to them every morning as delicious as it appears?

Ivan, a contestant from the first series of The Traitors, took to social media to reveal a shocking secret about the show. He confessed: "I'm sorry guys, it's time to come clean and leak something shocking about The Traitors. It pains me to tell you, but that breakfast is REALLY DRY AND NOT VERY NICE."

Do the contestants stay over night in the castle?

Despite appearances, contestants typically consume their meals in their hotel rooms before filming commences.

As for whether contestants stay overnight in the castle, scenes of participants nervously preparing for a night on luxurious four-poster beds might suggest so. However, they are actually accommodated in a hotel near Inverness Airport, a 45-minute drive away from the castle grounds.

Are Faithfuls murdered at night?

The question of whether Faithfuls are 'murdered' during the eerie silence of the castle at night was clarified by John McManus from series one. He explained that the 'murders' occur in the morning.

"Everybody goes to the castle at the same time in different jeeps and then you're all put into separate holding rooms. It's like a Big Brother diary room with the letter sat on the chair in front of you, and it just says, 'The Traitors have murdered you'," he disclosed. This revelation explains why some contestants appear camera-ready rather than dishevelled from sleep.

Viewers often wonder about the liberties contestants enjoy within the castle confines. Despite TV portrayals, they're restricted to certain areas such as the library, a small bar, the billiards room, and the round table room for banishments.

Filming a show like this at Ardross Castle is a complex undertaking, as Claire from the inaugural series revealed, describing the location as bustling with "gaffer tape and wires" and teeming with "production staff, filming crew and sound crew all running around."

Is there just one confessional room?

Contrary to what it might seem, there are several identical confessional rooms, typically four or five, to keep production flowing smoothly.

Are the contestants allowed to smoke and drink?

Contestants can take cigarette or vaping breaks, though they're monitored during these times. Alcohol is permitted, with scenes showing them drinking after banishments.

However, there's a two-drink limit. Wilfred from the first UK series disclosed: "They said two but they [staff] always disappeared after one. They don't want us to mess up and get drunk and accidentally do something."

What's the round table banishment room like?

If you thought the round table banishment room might offer a bit of respite, think again. It's notoriously chilly in there, and that's no accident.

The production team keeps the air conditioning on full blast to ramp up the drama. Before anyone gets the boot, contestants are subjected to another sensory experience: they have to listen to 'The Hanging Tree' from The Hunger Games soundtrack, adding to the weightiness of the situation.

Are the contestants ever left alone?

Not a chance. Contestants are always under supervision during their time on the show, except when they're in their hotel rooms.

They're constantly watched to make sure no game-related chats happen off-camera. Security staff are always on hand to stop any sneaky tactics or private talks about who might be a Traitor.

Claire from series one also revealed that cast members are even blindfolded and individually escorted back to their hotels to avoid speculation about the identities of the Traitors.

The process can be quite gruelling, with shoots sometimes stretching late into the night. Season one's contestant, Meryl Williams, revealed that although their schedule was packed from Monday through Saturday, they did get Sundays off to rest.

How much reality is in this reality TV?

Wilf, from the first series, clarifies that The Traitors keeps it real. Despite being surrounded by cameras and potentially staged television formats, Wilf confirms the cast had authentic interactions: "We forgot about the cameras."

While there wasn't outright interference from the producers during filming, he admits that there might've been subtle tactics at play to keep contestants in the dark about the traitors among them and to steer the game's direction.

And what of the show's memorabilia?

It doesn't seem likely that contestants would snag pieces of the set or props, but Wilf relays a memento they did get - their portrait from the show's gallery, something familiar to viewers as these images are a staple visual element throughout the series.

Moreover, they were gifted with The Traitors board game. Given the high-stakes drama of their on-screen experience, one might suggest they've had enough of the game without needing to bring it into their living rooms.