Everything you need to know ahead of The Traitors UK celebrity launch
A fresh batch of famous faces are heading to The Traitors castle. Here's what to expect from the celebrity edition
The wait is finally over — and Claudia Winkleman’s iconic fingerless gloves are back. The Traitors returns to the castle this week for its first-ever celebrity edition, bringing a star-studded cast to the Highlands for TV’s most devious game of deceit, strategy and betrayal. The celebrity spin-off of the hit BBC reality show launches tonight on BBC One and iPlayer with an extended 70-minute premiere, promising all the drama, mind games and backstabbing that made the original series a phenomenon — only this time, the contestants are household names.
With the all-star version finally here, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know before the first episode airs. In this all-star spin-off, the celebrities will take on the same format fans know and love — working together to build a cash prize while secretly hunting down the hidden Traitors among them. The twist? Every move, alliance and betrayal will play out for charity, with up to £100,000 up for grabs.
Read more: ‘I went to Celebrity Traitors castle - here are the things you don't see’
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The line-up is one of the most ambitious reality casts in years, featuring Alan Carr, Charlotte Church, Stephen Fry, Paloma Faith, Kate Garraway, Tom Daley, Celia Imrie, Nick Mohammed, Clare Balding, Jonathan Ross, Mark Bonnar, Joe Wilkinson, Cat Burns, Lucy Beaumont, Niko Omilana, David Olusoga, Tameka Empson, Ruth Codd, and Joe Marler.
They’ll live together in the eerie Scottish castle, complete missions, and face nerve-shredding round tables where the Faithfuls must decide who to “banish” — and who they can really trust.
In a major change to the usual schedule, The Celebrity Traitors will air two nights a week, on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9pm, starting October 8.
The main version of the show typically runs three nights weekly, making this a slower-paced but no less intense edition.
Host Claudia admitted that she struggled with one major thing during filming. “The biggest challenge was being ‘strict’. All I wanted to do was chat and be friendly but my role is aloof and grumpy.
"I found it hard not to just sit down with them and have a cup of tea. My family and I are obsessed with Joe Wilkinson, I had to stop myself getting his autograph for my son.”
She admitted the hardest part was staying in character as the show’s no-nonsense host: “It was hard not to scream ‘you’re here!” When I talked to Stephen Fry I almost welled up, I told him 'this was my dream'. We’re incredibly lucky to have the cast that we have. Each one of them is tremendous.”
Meanwhile, Ed Gamble is back with The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked, the companion podcast that gives fans unseen gossip, post-banishment reactions and behind-the-scenes insight from the castle.
Expect shocking twists, surprise alliances, and betrayals that could rival anything from the civilian series — only this time, the backstabbing comes with a red carpet.
The Celebrity Traitors airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
