The time for talk is over in ‘The Celebrity Traitors’ castle, as this year’s sensational season of the phenomenally popular TV series draws to a close.
It’s the show that has the nation gripped with its dastardly twists, turns, secrets and epic missions, the betrayal and backstabbing back in a big way and the gloves well and truly on as the celebrity version of ‘The Traitors’ made its much-anticipated return to our screens this month.
As the most-watched show on TV last year, attracting an average audience of almost 15 million, the second series of the star-studded BBC show currently playing out on our screens hasn’t disappointed, with twists and turns aplenty from the get-go.
The ultimate game of deception and trust, there’s been plentiful mischief and murder, alongside riveting and ruthless gameplaying.
With the finale this Friday, who will win the game? Will it be a Traitor or a Faithful?
The stakes have never been higher as the celebrity players face their final, explosive mission. Will the pressure of winning a cash prize of up to £100,000 for the charity of their choice cloud anyone’s vision? Will the Faithful banish all Traitors to secure victory, or will the Traitors manage to deceive until the bitter end?
Claudia “couldn’t get over” the all-star cast
The hit BBC show’s first series became the biggest British TV series of 2025, and with ‘The Celebrity Traitors’ back on the box, fans have been revelling in more murder and treachery in the Scottish Highlands - celebrity style.
Claudia told the BBC she “couldn’t get over it” when she first heard the names of the celebs taking part this year.
“My bosses had to repeat the names at least three times! We’re so lucky they said ‘yes’,” she discloses. “Everyone taking part is fantastic. We are honoured they wanted to play the game.”
Featuring no fewer than 21 famous faces, offering an exciting and eclectic mix of high-profile personalities, how did Claudia remain tight-lipped and keep the impressive celebrity cast a secret?
“I say absolutely nothing about everything. I still won’t reveal who won series one! People say, ‘it’s okay, it’s been on TV’, but still nothing from me.”
As she watches the drama unfold, does Claudia find it difficult not to give anything away? “An overly long fringe helps,” Claudia divulges.
“It’s a privilege to be able to watch people play the game. I try to disappear into the walls at the Round Table. I feel extremely lucky I’m part of this show.”
With a number of comedians in this year’s line-up, did any of them try and break Claudia by making her laugh? “They all made me laugh. They are all utterly brilliant and the funniest people on earth. Rob Beckett said something that made me hide in a bush until I composed myself.”
How much fun is it watching the celebrities take on the missions? “They excelled at them. Amazing teamwork, and they just really wanted to build the prize pot.”
A fashion icon
Claudia’s outfits have become quite the talking point since the series began. Who inspired her outfits for this year’s celebrity show?
“It went a little Artful Dodger for this series. I borrow a lot of the clothes and the shops and designers were horrified when I asked if we could dip the clothes in tea.”
Some of this year’s players are also known for their love of fashion. Who would she say has been really bringing their own chic castle looks this year? “They’re all tremendous.”
Claudia enjoyed a reunion with the celebrities from the first series at the BAFTAs earlier this year. Did they grill her about series 2?
“I love them so much. They didn’t ask about the second series. We were too busy cuddling each other!”
The time for talk is over for the stars of The Celebrity Traitors
From BAFTA and BRIT award winners to broadcasters and social media stars, some of the UK’s most-cherished actors, comedians, presenters and musicians have been playing the ultimate game of detection, trust and betrayal, questioning who can they trust, who deserves to be banished and who is secretly plotting murder under the cover of darkness.
Maya Jama – ‘Love Island’ Presenter, Broadcaster & Entrepreneur
Richard E. Grant – ‘Saltburn’ & ‘Withnail And I’ Actor
Leigh-Anne Pinnock – Little Mix Singer/Songwriter
Michael Sheen – ‘The Queen’ Actor & Presenter
Jerry Hall – Model & Actress
Romesh Ranganathan – Comedian
James Blunt – Singer/Songwriter
Miranda Hart – ‘Call The Midwife’ & ‘Miranda’ Actress & Author
Ross Kemp – ‘EastEnders’ Actor & Presenter
Joe Lycett – Comedian
Bella Ramsey – ‘Game of Thrones’ Actor
James Acaster – Comedian & Podcaster
Julie Hesmondhalgh – ‘Corrie’ Actress
Rob Beckett – Comedian
Amol Rajan – Journalist & Broadcaster
Sharon Rooney – ‘Barbie’ & ‘Actress
Sebastian Croft – ‘Horrible Histories’ Actor & Musician
Professor Hannah Fry – Broadcaster & Mathematician
King Kenny – Content Creator & Boxer
Joanne McNally – Comedian
Myha’la – ‘Black Mirror’ Actress
The Traitors castle – the perfect setting for banishment & murder
Heading to the castle’s turret every night to meet and plot, the Traitors’ task is to secretly murder their fellow players without getting caught. It’s up to the others, the Faithful, to try to detect the Traitors and banish them from the game before they become their next victim.
The players who survive to the end have the chance of winning the prize pot for their chosen charity. If a Traitor remains undetected, however, they’ll take it all.
The RTS and BAFTA Craft Award-winning show is set at stunning Ardross Castle, a magnificent 19th-century estate providing the perfect backdrop for the murderous game of deceit and lies, where even the most faithful of Faithfuls could be tempted to turn to the dark side.
© Derek Spence
The series airs two nights a week on Thursday and Friday evenings at 8pm.
The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked
The official video podcast, ‘The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked’, also returned to BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, seeing host Ed Gamble joined by banished and murdered players, along with previous celebrity and non-celebrity players, for a debrief and reactions to the latest betrayals, mind games and manipulations.
Each episode features exclusive interviews and unseen footage in which the Faithful learn the identity of the Traitors for the very first time.
Exclusive bonus episodes are available immediately after the main show on BBC Sounds, with extended celebrity interviews and in-depth gameplay analysis.
‘The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked’ airs on BBC One straight after the main series, and on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.
We’ll all be watching ‘The Celebrity Traitors’ finale on BBC One this weekend, and in the next issue of Events & Entertainment, we give you all the goss from the celebrity contestants who have said farewell to the castle and the Highlands as they spill on their experiences of the ultimate TV game show!
Photo credits: © BBC / Studio Lambert / Cody Burridge / BBC Creative
Contents page cover photo credit: BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge