The first episode of Celebrity Traitors hit screens last night and to say it was a rollercoaster would be an understatement.
Unlike the civilian version of the series, which has become a major hit for the BBC, viewers didn’t need to be introduced to the contestants, because BBC producers managed to bring in a genuinely star-studded cast including the likes of comedian Alan Carr, musician Paloma Faith and actor Celia Imrie.
In the debut episode, the celebrities barely had time to take in their surroundings before being put to task on their first challenge, where they literally had to dig their own graves to find shields, to protect them from the series’ first murder.
Jonathan Ross, Joe Wilkinson, Joe Marler, Kate Garraway, Celie Imrie and Charlotte Church all found a shield, though Charlotte later gave hers away after the first mission went wrong, thanks to a mishap from Clare Balding.
Meanwhile, host Claudia Winkleman selected Alan, alongside singer-songwriter Cat Burns and TV host Jonathan Ross, as the first three traitors of the series. In a major twist, the first murder of the show will be committed in plain sight.
In order to kill, Alan must mark the face of the first victim with a black lily, but we’ll have to wait until tonight to see who perishes.
Key Points
- Celebrity Traitors 2025 lineup – full list of contestants for the first all-star edition of the game show
- When are the episodes released and how can I stream it?
- How much are Celebrity Traitors being paid and what prize will the winner get?
- The Celebrity Traitors review: It’s still the camp and menacing show we know and love – with a stonking all-star cast
- Why Alan Carr is all of us in The Celebrity Traitors
Why Alan Carr is all of us in The Celebrity Traitors
13:26
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Helen Coffey
With his sweat-drenched, awkward performance as an unlikely backstabber, the comedian is the unrivalled highlight of the star-studded new series, writes Helen Coffey
Who is Ruth Codd?
13:00
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Greg Evans
Irish actor Ruth Codd is possibly the biggest unknown entity on Celebrity Traitors, having only risen to fame after loving her job as a barber and make-up artist during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 29-year-old began posting videos on TikTok after being made redundant and, within a year, had more than 670,000 followers.
She was discovered by casting agents and placed in the role of Anya in the Netflix thriller series The Midnight Club before going on to play Juno Usher in the 2023 Edgar Allan Poe adaptation miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher.
Although she went under the radar in the first episode, Codd’s unique look certainly caught the eye whenever she was on the screen. Let’s hope we see more of her over the next eight episodes.
Who is Niko Omilana?
12:00
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Ellie Muir
One of the only disappointments of episode one was that YouTuber Niko Omilana wasn't selected as a traitor, but if he is, then we'll be in for a treat.
The content creator, 27, has carved out a niche with his undercover pranks, infiltrating far-right protests in London – in disguise as a white man – to the lift the lid on racism in Britain. In 2018, he went viral after he posted his video “Undercover as a racist for 24 hours”, which shows protesters growing violent towards him when his mask slips.
He most notably grabbed headlines in 2021 when he ran for Mayor of London, achieving an impressive 49,628 votes. In the 2024 general election, he ran against then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, obtaining 160 votes. He attracted more attention, though, when he held up a "L" sign behind Sunak, referring to the MP as a loser.
While Niko is one of the lesser-known contestants on The Traitors, he was delighted when Stephen Fry knew his work. “Stephen knows who I am! I wanted to be unknown to everyone; now everyone’s going to see me as a conniving prankster.”
Who is Tameka Empson?
11:00
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Greg Evans
Ahh, Tameka. She's already such a joy in this series. Who can forget her already iconic episode one line: “Yes, Claudia. Strut away”. Or when she happily confirmed that the group will exploit Tom Daley’s athleticism “for anything”.
Most BBC viewers will be more familiar with her as Kim Fox in EastEnders, a role she has played since 2009, winning numerous awards, including the 2012 Inside Soap gong for Funniest Female Performance.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the show's launch Empson admitted that she didn't know why she joined Celebrity Traitors but had become hooked on the show after watching series two.
Amusingly, she said she'll refuse to go out first even if she is eliminated: "I hope Claudia is good at improvisation, because I am not going out first. I just won't go. I will just refuse. It’s going to be different. Yeah, sorry everyone but I’m staying. How about that plot twist?!"
Let's hope the BBC have a contingency plan in case she's ousted tonight.
Celebrity Traitors proves to be major ratings hit
10:51
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Greg Evans
Episode one attracted 6.1 million viewers on Wednesday night, reports TV ratings journalist Liam Hamilton and 46 per cent of all viewers across the 9pm slot. This is also one million up on the last civilian series, which aired in January.
Huge audience for opening episode of #TheCelebrityTraitors (@studiolambert), 6.1million viewers across extended 75’ debut from 9pm on BBC1, just under half - 46% - of all viewing across the slot, which it won…obviously! pic.twitter.com/DCFnRBFxoX
— Liam Hamilton (@LiamHamilton16) October 9, 2025
Celebrity Traitors viewers hail nervous Alan Carr as highlight of new series
10:00
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Greg Evans
It’s safe to say that Alan Carr stole the show in the debut episode. The comedian already had viewers in hysterics after claiming he wanted to be a traitor – and then struggled with the reality after host Claudia Winkleman made him one.
Viewers are already calling him the highlight of the series so far and worth the licence fee alone.
Jacob Stolworthy rounds up the best reactions:
Meet the celebrity traitors: Claudia Winkleman picks her trio of backstabbing stars
09:00
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Greg Evans
The three backstabbing stars have been selected by the Celebrity Traitors host.
Jacob Stolworthy has all the info you’ll need on the deadly trio:
The Celebrity Traitors review: It’s still the camp and menacing show we know and love – with a stonking all-star cast
08:00
,
Greg Evans
The starry spin-off of the BBC hit stays faithful to the original formula – and it’s such a delight to be back at Ardross Castle, writes Katie Rosseinsky
Alan's big decision
07:00
,
Greg Evans
“This has thrown the cat amongst the pigeons - I was having such a lovely night,” says Alan Carr as he’s sent off to kill The Traitors first victim.
Who that person is will remain a mystery until Thursday’s episode.
Traitors star makes huge error in first challenge of Celebrity series
06:00
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Holly Patrick
Clare Balding made a grave error during the first mission of the BBC series on Wednesday's episode (8 October).
The stars were tasked with dragging a Trojan horse through a series of gates they had to unlock by answering a question correctly, to add £15,000 to the prize pot.
As the contestants were discussing an answer, the broadcaster, 54, accidentally locked in a number before the others came up with a suggestion and appeared to be horrified at what she'd done.
Celebrity Traitors 2025 lineup – full list of contestants for the first all-star edition of the game show
02:00
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Greg Evans
Just another reminder of who's who in this year's series:
How much are Celebrity Traitors being paid and what prize will the winner get?
Thursday 9 October 2025 00:01
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Greg Evans
The BBC has confirmed that the celebrities involved, which include Stephen Fry, Clare Balding, Alan Carr, Charlotte Church, Paloma Faith and Jonathan Ross, will be paid for their participation.
According to reports, the celebrities will be paid a flat fee of £40,000 for appearing in the series.
More below:
Alan Carr proves to be MVP of episode one
Wednesday 8 October 2025 23:00
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Greg Evans
With the first episode in the bag, it’s safe to say that Alan Carr was the standout contestant in the early goings.
Not only was his self-deprecatory humour a great bit of light relief, but his reaction to being named as a traitor (”I feel sick”) was priceless.
How much longer he lasts remains to be seen but he’s given plenty of viewers a good giggle already.
“Alan is going to be a terrible Traitor but he's top-tier hilarious so I hope he stays until the end,” said one fan.
“The person who decided to cast Alan Carr in Celebrity Traitors deserves the biggest pay rise in television history,” remarked another.
A third person said, “Alan Carr is equally the best and worst traitor of all time” said a third.
How many characters die in Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet?
Wednesday 8 October 2025 22:40
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Greg Evans
As the first question of the mission was accidentally ruined by Clare Balding, we’ve decided to look up how many people die in both Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet.
The answer is 15, although we’re sure Stephen Fry would have figured it out eventually.
The Celebrity Traitors review: It’s still the camp and menacing show we know and love – with a stonking all-star cast
Wednesday 8 October 2025 22:19
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Greg Evans
And that’s a wrap for the first episode!
Keen to know what we thought? Here’s Kate Rosseinsky’s glowing review of the debut episode:
Cliffhanger ending!
Wednesday 8 October 2025 22:17
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Greg Evans
Oh my god! The tension.
The Traitors select Alan Carr to commit the murder, much to his own annoyance. “How the hell am I gonna do this?” he asks.
The show ends on a knife-edge but we don’t get to see who is murdered. All will be revealed in Thursday’s episode!
Traitors discover how they will murder their first victim
Wednesday 8 October 2025 22:11
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Greg Evans
Alan, Cat and Jonathan have learnt how they will murder their first victims.
The Traitors are told they must find a “poison black lily” and mark the face of the faithful they want to murder.
However, the victim won’t “die” until the next morning. However, the traitors are worries about how easy it will be to mark someone’s face without being noticed.
Answers on a postcard...
Mission completed - but at what cost?
Wednesday 8 October 2025 22:07
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Greg Evans
The celebrities successfully complete the task with only Charlotte Church sacrificing her shield in the protest.
“Some of them haven’t even exercised for 30 years,” jokes Paloma Faith in a jibe at her fellow contestants.
Meanwhile, Jonathan, who for some reason is dressed like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, looks stressed as the others discuss who could be a traitor.
The first murder is imminent - who will be the victim?
Nick is a puzzle ninja
Wednesday 8 October 2025 22:03
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Greg Evans
The Ted Lasso star is proving himself to be almost as intelligent as Stephen Fry. After effortlessly solving the key puzzle, he’s also instrumental in solving the word puzzle.
“Y’all blessed that you have Nick,” said a fan on social media.
“Nick Mohamed savant genius level,” noted another.
“Nick Mohammed is the MVP,” said a third.
Clare Balding makes a major error
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:56
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Greg Evans
Oh dear, oh dear!
Clare immediately raises suspicions about herself by locking in the answer before the others had even come up with a logical answer.
Charlotte Church selflessly sacrifices her shield so the mission can continue.
First mission: The Trojan Horse
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:53
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Greg Evans
As Claudia points out the first mission is for Stephen Fry. The celebrties have been tasked with burning down a Trojan horse.
However, things are that simple. They have to drag the horse through a series of gates which they have to unlock by answering a question.
Unlike the Trojan War, they don’t have 10 years - just 30 minutes.
The Traitors meet in the turret
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:46
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Greg Evans
The three traitors Alan, Jonathan and Cat have met in the turret for the first time and it was everything you’d expect it to be.
Cat thinks Jonathan will do well, while the veteran TV host credits the singer for being very quiet so far.
The two are in hysterics when Alan reveals himself. Jonathan immediately brands him the trump card.
“My thing was to go under the radar and I think I’ve pole vaulted over it,” jokes Alan.
In a major twist, Claudia tells the traitors that their first murder will be in plain sight! Why? How? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Oh and an OTT version of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” is now playing.
Alan Carr is already proving popular with fans
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:41
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Greg Evans
Viewers are beside themselves after Alan was selected as a Traitor.
“I absolutely love Alan Carr. He’s not going to be able to keep this secret,” said one person on social media.
“I love Alan Carr but he's going to be a s*** traitor, I can't lie,” joked another.
“’I'll see you up there’ Jonathan Ross and Alan Carr meeting in the turret is going to be brilliant,” noted another.
Claudia Winkleman’s exact outfit from episode 1 of Celebrity Traitors
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:37
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Greg Evans
In addition to game playing and conniving characters, it’s Claudia Winkleman’s aspirational knit-heavy, tartan-splashed and punk-infused wardrobe that repeatedly steals the show. According to the producers, this season it’s been taken up a notch, thanks to the starry A-lister line-up bringing their own sartorial A-game to the castle.
Indy Best’s Daisy Lester has the details on the host’s outfit in the debut episode
No murder tonight but tomorrow the killing spree begins
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:35
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Greg Evans
The celebrities cheer as Claudia announces that there will be no murder tonight but the killings will begin tomorrow.
However, Claire Balding spots that a few people are “overdoing it” as the other contestants breathe a sigh of relief.
The Traitors are selected
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:32
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Greg Evans
Here we go!
The celebs put on their blindfolds and sit around the roundtable waiting for a tap on the shoulder from Claudia.
She first selects Jonathan Ross who already has immunity from murder thanks to the shield he discovered earlier.
Next is singer-songwriter Cat Burns. The final traitor is Alan Carr who admits that he’s “feels sick”.
It's already time to pick the Traitors
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:27
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Greg Evans
It’s easy to forget just how non-stop The Traitors is!
After the gravedigging challenge, the celebs were allowed to interact and get to know each other more.
However, their relationships are about to imminently change as Claudia picks who here traitors will be.
Suspicions already raised despite the Traitors not even being selected
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:23
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Greg Evans
The game hasn’t even properly begun and eyebrows are already being raised.
As well as Nick Mohammad being too nice to Celia Imrie, Alan Carr isn’t too sure about Jonathan Ross just because of the way he dug his grave.
Early doors but this is already fantastic.
All six shields discovered
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:18
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Greg Evans
Jonathan Ross, Joe Marler, Joe Wilkinson, Kate Garraway, Charlotte Church and Celia Imrie all discovered shields.
Alan Carr thought he’d found one but it was just a rock. Unlucky Alan.
Nick Mohammad is likely to have raised suspicions about himself by selflessly helping Imire find her shield.
Celebs dig their own graves for shields
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:15
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Greg Evans
Kate Garraway hoped to be greeted by canapes at the castle but instead the celebs were taken to a nearby gravesite where they literally had to dig their own graves.
The purpose of the task is so that the celebs can retrieve a shield that will protect them from the first murders.
“Personally, I wanted to be cremated and have my ashes thrown off the London Eye,” says Alan Carr. This probably wasn’t what he had in mind then.
First breathless cover of a popular song alert
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:11
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Greg Evans
In typical Traitors fashion were treated to a very OTT version of a famous song.
This time, it's ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica as the celebrities are taken off to perform the first challenge.
No need for the epic train ride to Scotland
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:09
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Greg Evans
Unlike the public version of The Traitors the contestants aren’t all bundled on to a train so we can get to know them.
Nearly everyone on this show is already very famous so they instead introduce themselves to each other in a convoy of black Land Rovers, whizzing through the stunning Scottish countryside.
Let the mind games begin!
Wednesday 8 October 2025 21:05
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Greg Evans
The show opens in its typically over-the-top and camp fashion with Claudia, complete with her fingerless gloves, going over who she’s looking forward to seeing on the show.
Actor Celia Imrie appears to have been given a bit of a key role, with Claudia referring to her as a knockout. Foreshadowing perhaps?
Celebrity Traitors begins!
Wednesday 8 October 2025 20:59
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Greg Evans
Eeek!
Here we go! Hope you’re settled in for what could be the biggest TV event of the year.
The Traitors has been a massive success for the BBC so far but the jury is out on whether the celebrity version will work.
However, the cast the BBC has assembled is truly stunning so it’s sure to be entertaining whatever happens.
Celebrity Traitors’ Joe Marler reveals ‘plan’ for series
Wednesday 8 October 2025 20:55
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Greg Evans
Joe Marler has revealed his Celebrity Traitors’ game plan.
In a video uploaded to Instagram, the former England rugby union player can be seen pulling weird faces, making strange noises and laughing to himself. In the post’s caption, he wrote: “My plan for the Traitors is to simply out-weird them all!”
A reminder of who which celebrities are involved
Wednesday 8 October 2025 20:50
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Greg Evans
Here are the 19 celebrities taking part in Celebrity Traitors
The contestants are:
- Alan Carr - Comedian
- Cat Burns – Singer/songwriter
- Celia Imrie – Actress
- Charlotte Church – Singer/activist
- Clare Balding - Broadcaster
- David Olusoga - Historian and filmmaker
- Joe Marler – Former England rugby union player
- Joe Wilkinson - Comedian
- Jonathan Ross - TV Presenter
- Kate Garraway - TV and radio presenter
- Lucy Beaumont - Comedian
- Mark Bonnar - Actor
- Nick Mohammed - Actor and comedian
- Niko Omilana - Online content creator
- Paloma Faith - Singer/songwriter
- Ruth Codd - Actress
- Stephen Fry - Actor and writer
- Tameka Empson – Actress and comedian
- Tom Daley – Olympian
Tom Daley: 'I want to win'
Wednesday 8 October 2025 20:45
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Greg Evans
The Team GB diver and Olympic gold medallist has spelled out his intentions to win Celebrity Traitors.
Daley, 31, told the BBC that he is “very competitive” and has his eyes on going all the way.
“Oh, I want to win,” he said. “That's the whole point of the game. I'm there to have fun, but at the same time I want to do well. I’m spending this time away from my family so I’m fully putting myself into it and I want to do them proud.”
The keen knitter also said that he will be knitting during his time on the show and has taken an entire suitcase full of wool to Scotland with him.
30 minutes to go!
Wednesday 8 October 2025 20:30
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Greg Evans
There is only half an hour to go until Celebrity Traitors begins!
Is it possible to be too excited?
I’ll be watching it from the comfort of my sofa but please let us know if you are having a Celebrity Traitors party!
Who knows. You might have even broken out your best cloak for the occasion...
The odds are not in The Traitors favour
Wednesday 8 October 2025 20:26
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Greg Evans
We all know that in order to win The Traitors, you need to be a good judge of character and realise that no one is above suspicion. To date, the Faithfuls have done this with tremendous results
Of the three regular Traitors series that the BBC has aired, only one has been won by a traitor.
This happened in season two when young Harry Clark deceived everyone and claimed the jackpot all for himself.
Will history repeat itself in the celebrity version?
Alan Carr: "If I'm a Traitor I’ll try to murder as many people as possible"
Wednesday 8 October 2025 20:15
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Greg Evans
Comedian Alan Carr admitted that he doesn’t have a strategy for Celebrity Traitors but is looking forward to being immersed into the game itself.
“Well people have asked, would you like to be a Traitor? And the answer is, I don't know,” he told the BBC. “I'm fascinated to know how I would cope with it if I was. I'm not known for my poker face, but you've just got to adapt.
“I'm indecisive, and that's the problem, he added. “But I think that's probably good because I’d say it’s best to have an open mind. If I'm a Traitor, I’ll try to murder as many people as possible. If I'm a Faithful, I'll try and catch those Traitors.
“Whichever side, I think you can’t help but get sucked in. It becomes your world and that's the part that I'm quite looking forward to, the routine of it and just being fully immersed in it.”
One hour to go!
Wednesday 8 October 2025 20:00
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Greg Evans
I don’t know about you but my excitement is palpable right now! Just 60 minutes to go before Celebrity Traitors officially begins!
Claire Balding interested in Celebrity Traitors from a 'psychological perspective'
Wednesday 8 October 2025 19:30
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Greg Evans
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the launch sports broadcaster Claire Balding said that one of the biggest appeals of starring on Celebrity Traitors was its psychological aspect.
“I really find it fascinating, the way group thinking can be influenced,” said the 54-year-old. “I don't know whether I can resist that or whether I can influence that and I'm kind of interested in it from a psychological perspective.”
Balding also said that she loves Ardross Castle. “I want to see the grounds and I want to meet the peacocks,” she added. ?Genuinely, I think it's a fascinating programme and it’s like nothing else.”
You can play your own game of Traitors at this Cotswolds getaway
Wednesday 8 October 2025 19:00
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Greg Evans
As the celebrity series of the popular reality show kicks off, Antonia Windsor reveals how you can play your own version of the game – complete with a sprawling country house
Celebrity Traitors has royal approval
Wednesday 8 October 2025 18:37
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Greg Evans
The Prince of Wales and his family are “very much looking forward” to watching The Celebrity Traitors, which is going to be a “big treat” for them, he told TV executive Stephen Lambert as he was honoured at Windsor Castle.
Lambert, the founder and chief executive of Studio Lambert – the production company behind The Traitors, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) on Wednesday.
Lambert, 66, said: “My award is for services to television, and we started talking about Celebrity Traitors, which launches tonight.
“He said he and the family were very much looking forward to watching it. It was going to be a big treat for them and probably for the nation, he expected.
“And I told him about the fact that our celebrities have entered into the game with great seriousness.
“So, they’re not just doing it because it’s a chance for them to be celebrities on television, but because they actually love the game, but also because they are the talented people they are, so they’re also very funny, and I think it’s extremely entertaining television.”
Clare Balding says friendships ‘went out of the window’
Wednesday 8 October 2025 18:00
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Lydia Spencer-Elliot
Clare Balding has revealed that any prior friendships she had with fellow Celebrity Traitors contestants were forgotten as soon as filming began.
Balding told The Sun of the process: “Obviously I knew quite a lot of them before I went in, but the friendships you had before go out the window.”
She admitted: “That, for me, is very challenging because I like to be friends with everybody. It's brutal, but I think I'm glad I did it. It will make good television and there are some really strong moments.”
Read more below:
Stephen Fry fears some missions might be 'tedious'
Wednesday 8 October 2025 17:00
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Ellie Harrison
When speaking to the BBC ahead of the show’s launch, former QI host and Blackadder star Fry was asked if he was looking forward to the missions, which typically tend to be physically demanding group activities based around the lake or the woods at the show’s filming location in the Scottish highl
