The BBC is set to launch a star-studded twist on its hit reality competition this autumn, as The Celebrity Traitors makes its highly anticipated debut on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The new spin-off, which will air on BBC One and iPlayer, brings together 19 well-known personalities from across the world of entertainment, sport, and media for a high-stakes game of deception, deduction, and charity.
In a dramatic teaser unveiled at the end of the Strictly Come Dancing launch show, presenter Claudia Winkleman, now 53, set the tone for the new series with a warning to the assembled celebrities: "Don’t get comfortable. This game doesn’t care who you are. In here, your glamorous lives count for nothing. Most of you will be murdered. Sorry about that." According to the Press Association and Metro, the message was clear—fame and fortune won’t offer any protection in the castle’s shadowy halls.
The line-up for this inaugural celebrity edition is nothing short of dazzling. Olympian Tom Daley, legendary actor Stephen Fry, and Thursday Murder Club star Celia Imrie will be joined by comedians Alan Carr, Nick Mohammed, Lucy Beaumont, and Joe Wilkinson. Other household names include presenter Jonathan Ross, broadcaster Clare Balding, singer Paloma Faith, former England rugby player Joe Marler, actress Tameka Empson, Welsh singer Charlotte Church, Irish actress Ruth Codd, singer Cat Burns, historian David Olusoga, Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway, YouTube sensation Niko Omilana, and Scottish actor Mark Bonnar. As Metro notes, Cat Burns, at 24, is the youngest contestant, while Charlotte Church, aged 39, brings her own reality TV experience after appearing on The Masked Singer.
The format remains true to the psychological gamesmanship that has made The Traitors a phenomenon. The 19 celebrities will gather in a remote Scottish Highlands castle, where they’ll be split into two secret factions: the Traitors and the Faithful. Over the course of two suspense-filled weeks, they’ll compete for a cash prize of up to £100,000 (€114,000), which will go to a charity of their choice. But, as Claudia Winkleman warned, only those who can outwit, outplay, and outlast their peers will have a shot at victory.
The series kicks off with an extra-long 70-minute premiere at 9 pm on October 8, and will air twice weekly on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the same time. The nine-part run promises plenty of intrigue, backstabbing, and unexpected twists, with each episode building toward the final showdown at the roundtable. According to Metro, the roundtable is where the real drama unfolds, as contestants debate, accuse, and vote to eliminate those they suspect of betrayal.
Adding to the excitement, Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked will air on BBC Two immediately after each main episode, and will also be available on BBC Sounds and iPlayer. Hosted by comedian Ed Gamble, the companion show will feature in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes gossip, and reactions from both the current celebrity cast and players from previous series. It’s a chance for fans to go deeper into the strategy and psychology that define the game.
For many of the contestants, the experience is expected to be far more intense than their glamorous day jobs. As Richard Osman shared on The Rest is Entertainment podcast, some contestants he spoke to at the BAFTAs described the filming as "a lot more intense than you think it’s going to be." He added, "If you were to win it, you’re there for two weeks. There are no phones, you’re not watching TV, you’re kept sort of isolated because of the nature of the game." The isolation, secrecy, and constant suspicion are all designed to push even the most seasoned celebrities out of their comfort zones.
Each member of the cast brings their own unique background and skill set to the table. Alan Carr, for example, is known for his love of Agatha Christie mysteries—an obsession that could serve him well in the castle’s labyrinthine mind games. Mark Bonnar has played detectives in shows like Shetland and Unforgotten, while Nick Mohammed has been tipped by Osman as "one to watch." Meanwhile, Tom Daley, a five-time Olympic medallist who has retired from professional diving, is expected to embrace the challenge with the same competitive spirit that defined his athletic career.
For some, this will be their first foray into reality competition. Paloma Faith, for instance, is making her reality TV debut as a competitor, having previously been a coach on The Voice UK. Others, like Kate Garraway, have already proven their mettle in shows such as I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! where she finished in fourth place. The diversity of backgrounds—from history and journalism to music and sport—promises a fascinating clash of personalities and strategies.
The psychological pressure is a hallmark of the show. As Winkleman herself put it, "We’re incredibly lucky these brilliant people have said yes. I’d love to say we’ll take it easy on them and they’ll just wander round the castle and eat toast for a couple of weeks but that would be a lie." The game’s structure, which encourages suspicion and rewards cunning, ensures that even the most charming celebrity will have to watch their back.
The anticipation for The Celebrity Traitors has been building for months, with speculation about the line-up and format swirling online. The BBC’s decision to unveil the teaser at the close of Strictly Come Dancing only heightened the sense of occasion. As the autumn TV season heats up, this new series is poised to be a centerpiece of the BBC’s entertainment schedule.
Looking ahead, fans of the franchise have even more to look forward to. The BBC has already confirmed that The Traitors will return for a fifth series in 2026, with applications open to the public. The enduring popularity of the format speaks to its unique blend of suspense, strategy, and human drama—a combination that seems tailor-made for the celebrity treatment.
As the castle doors prepare to swing open and the first celebrity contestants take their seats at the roundtable, viewers can expect a rollercoaster of alliances, betrayals, and jaw-dropping twists. If Claudia Winkleman’s warning is anything to go by, no one—not even the most seasoned star—is safe from the game’s ruthless logic. For fans of reality TV and high-stakes drama alike, October 8 can’t come soon enough.
