It’s been a whirlwind week for British reality television, with two of the country’s most beloved shows—Strictly Come Dancing and The Celebrity Traitors—sharing the spotlight in dramatic fashion. As Claudia Winkleman, the ever-charismatic host, edges towards her final curtain call on Strictly, fans have been treated to both emotional farewells and nail-biting competition. Meanwhile, Alan Carr’s recent victory on The Celebrity Traitors has not only crowned him the king of deception but also fueled speculation about the future of Saturday night entertainment on the BBC.
The Celebrity Traitors, described by Daily Mail as “the ultimate reality game of trust and treachery,” wrapped its inaugural celebrity season in early November 2025. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, 53, the show’s format pits 22 contestants against each other in a battle to unmask the ‘Traitors’ among the ‘Faithfuls’—with a hefty £120,000 prize at stake. This latest celebrity edition, which kicked off in October, featured household names like Charlotte Church, Kate Garraway, Alan Carr, and Clare Balding. After weeks of subterfuge and suspense, Alan Carr, 49, emerged victorious in a finale that left fans “absolutely gutted” the series had concluded so soon (according to Daily Mail).
Alan’s triumph was anything but straightforward. The final roundtable saw Carr joined by fellow Traitor Cat Burns and Faithfuls Joe Marler, Nick Mohammed, and David Olusoga. According to The Sun, Joe Marler attempted a last-minute pact with Alan and Cat to oust David, but shifting alliances led to Cat’s elimination after a tense 3-2 vote. With the numbers dwindling, suspicion and strategy collided. Nick, previously aligned with Joe, switched sides after growing wary of Joe’s motives, resulting in Joe’s banishment. The game ended with Alan, Nick, and David as the last players standing—none the wiser to Alan’s true allegiance. As the undetected Traitor, Alan claimed the £87,500 prize for his chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK.
The win has done wonders for Alan Carr’s popularity. Lewis Cope, a current contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, told the Mirror, “I think Alan would be brilliant. He’s funny, people love him, and he’s really current. Why not? He’d be hilarious with the judges – he’d probably go, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you were brilliant.’” With both Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announcing their departure from Strictly after this season, the rumour mill is churning. Katya Jones, Cope’s dance partner, suggested Janette Manrara could also make an “amazing host,” noting her deep knowledge and heart for the show. The public, meanwhile, seems eager for a shakeup—perhaps one with Alan Carr at its centre.
For Claudia Winkleman, this season marks the end of an era. Tess Daly, 56, expressed her gratitude in a heartfelt statement last month: “To my beloved Claud – what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you. You’re one of a kind, and I’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared.” Claudia herself called Strictly “a magical, glittery, fake-tanned train,” adding, “I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go.” She also paid tribute to the late judge Len Goodman, recalling, “I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know).”
While Strictly fans brace for change, the competition remains fierce. The weekend of November 8-9 saw the series reach its halfway point, with the Telegraph reporting a “spectacularly unspectacular” episode—steady, if not show-stopping. Vicky and Kai wowed the judges with a Taylor Swift-themed tango, scoring 39 points, just shy of a perfect 40. Amber and Nikita’s salsa, described as “gravity-defying,” earned them two tens and a raucous “a-ma-zing” from judge Craig, for a total of 38 points. Other highlights included Lewis and Katya’s high-energy Cha Cha, Karen and Carlos’s daring Charleston, and Balvinder’s emotive tribute to her late mother, which brought a rare lump to the throat on an otherwise predictable night. At the lower end of the leaderboard, La Voix and Aljaž found themselves in danger of a dance-off with 29 points, while Harry and Karen’s enthusiastic samba—complete with Kermit-green trousers—managed to avoid the bottom slot with a score of 30.
The episode’s scores were as follows: Vicky and Kai (39), Amber and Nikita (38), Lewis and Katya (35), Karen and Carlos (35), Balvinder and Julian (34), George and Alexis (34), Alex and Johannes (30), Harry and Karen (30), and La Voix and Aljaž (29). As the public vote loomed, tension ran high, especially for those teetering on the brink of elimination. The Telegraph’s panel of superfans, hailing from Belfast to Southampton, offered their own takes, but consensus was clear: the competition remains wide open, and any misstep could prove fatal.
For those already mourning the end of The Celebrity Traitors, the Daily Mail has helpfully compiled a list of alternative reality shows brimming with backstabbing and intrigue. These include international versions of The Traitors—with Alan Cumming hosting the US edition (now three seasons deep on Peacock) and Rodger Corser and Gretel Killeen fronting the Australian series. Other recommendations are The Trust: A Game Of Greed (Netflix), which premiered in January 2024 and challenges players to split or steal a $250,000 pot; Surviving Paradise (Netflix), where contestants vie for $100,000 after being stranded on a remote island; The Circle (Channel 4/Netflix), a social media popularity contest; Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), which adapts the Korean thriller into a high-stakes reality format; and The Mole (Netflix), a cult classic recently rebooted, where players must root out a saboteur among them.
It’s clear that British television’s appetite for drama, deception, and dazzling dance routines is as strong as ever. Whether Alan Carr will swap traitor tactics for ballroom banter remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: with familiar faces bowing out and fresh talent waiting in the wings, Saturday nights are set for another shakeup. For now, fans can only speculate—and savor every last glittering moment.
