Like most people with eyes, ears, a TV licence, and a floor length cloak for spontaneous moments of spookiness and treachery hanging in their cupboard, the heatworld team are massive fans of The Traitors, so you can imagine our excitement over the news that Celebrity Traitors is officially happening.
Somehow it's been over seven months since series two Traitor Harry Clark stunned the nation by chucking fellow finalist and friend Mollie Pearce under the bus for £95,000, and now that Love Island 2024 is done and dusted we're getting the itch (not 'the ick').
As far as we're concerned, now we've said goodbye to summer we can officially start getting excited about new Traitors again, as not only is series three just a few months away (if our telly maths is correct, the BBC should be filming right about now), but we also know that we'll be gifted a Celebrity Traitors later in 2025 (as confirmed by the BBC last month) and the celebrity contestant rumours are already rumouring.
We know you have questions. Luckily, we're Faithful to you lot and have answers...
When will Celebrity Traitors UK hit our screens?
Unfortunately, while we know the spin-off is happening, the BBC are yet to confirm an official release date, which makes sense tbh, it was only confirmed to be in production this year.
How many episodes will we be getting?
According to the BBC, the celebrity edition will play out across nine nail-biting episodes.
Will the Celeb version be the same as the normal version?
You just want to know it all, don't you? Sadly, it's too soon to know for sure. But the phrase 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' comes to mind.
Saying that, a statement by Mike Cotton, Executive Producer for The Traitors, suggests that the overall format, location and host will all remain constant. He said, 'We are thrilled to be inviting some celebrities into our castle to come and play the game. Seeing famous faces navigate the round table or don the infamous green cloaks will be unmissable TV, and what a double treat for the fans with Series 4 also confirmed too. There's a whole lot of exciting treachery and deception yet to come from the Highlands… Claudia’s going to have to pack some extra knitwear.'
We do know that a regular series is 12 episodes long and the celebrity version will be just nine episodes long.
Who is rumoured to be part of the Celebrity Traitors cast?
Let's start with what we know...
Last month, Stephen Fry's name was doing the rounds – which is nothing short of iconic, let's be honest. According to reports, host Claudia is 'desperate' to get the national treasure involved in the first spin-off.
A source told The Sun, 'Claudia put Stephen right at the top of celebs she’d want on The Traitors and Stephen has made it clear he’d be game.
'Stephen is a fan of the show and Claudia was desperate for him to be in it.
'No contracts have been signed yet — but he told the show’s bosses to name a time and date and he’ll be there.'
Other names that are doing the rounds in the press are Liz Truss, Jonathan Ross and Ricky Gervais, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
heat's predictions for Celebrity Traitors
One more time for the people at the back: these are our predictions for Celebrity Traitors and nothing more...
If we know BBC producers, they're going to try and appeal to a wide audience with this spin-off; so expect everyone from MPs to TikTok superstars.
If Stephen Fry's name is being thrown about – and Claudia wants him on – then you can pretty much bet that that's a sure thing. Also, producers are going to have to bag at least two or three A-listers/national treasures if they want this to be as big as we think they do, so Stephen Fry makes a lot of sense. Plus, he'd play the game nothing short of superbly.
We'd also guarantee a fair few big reality telly stars, particularly from Love Island, after Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu's random, yet popular stint on The Traitors US.
If you're looking for names from us (of course you are) then we'd say Maura Higgins, Gemma Collins, Olivia Attwood, Alison Hammond, and Tom Read Wilson from Celebs Go Dating. But that's just us manifesting.
Oh, and as this is a BBC show, we're guessing a popular Drag Race UK queen will make the cut, too. Names again? It's got to be either Tia Kofi, The Vivienne, Danny Beard, or Baga Chipz, right?
Can I apply to go on The Traitors?
For the civilian version? Absolutely you can. For the celeb one? Best speak to your manager.
They're currently on the hunt for new Faithfuls and Traitors. According to the BBC website, they are casting until 9 February 2025 for Traitors 2025. You can apply here.
What has Diane Carson said about Celebrity Traitors?
Well, heat and Dianne are besties...
Naturally, when heatworld caught up with The Traitors series two legend Diane Carson over a coffee last month – sadly, not a fizzy rosé, but it was 9am – we simply had to get her thoughts on the new spin-off, and obviously she did not disappoint or hold back (come on now, it's Diane).
The telly queen started off by revealing, "Well, I have heard that Ricky Gervais might be going in, so I think that would be hilarious."
To be fair, we'd heard that one, too, and if it's true, the BBC are clearly not playing when they say Celebrity Traitors. Ooft.
Sharing her thoughts on the upcoming series, she told heatworld, "What I would do is fill [Celebrity Traitors] with comedians. That would be amazing, wouldn't it? Can you imagine Lee Mack and David Mitchell? That would be absolutely amazing, but they won't.
"I just want them to bring in normal celebrities. I just think if you've got big egos to deal with, I think that might ruin the game a bit. I'm not saying all celebrities have big egos, but like, I'd have Kelly Holmes in, Linda Robson in... these are people I've met and really love their company."
Diane added, "Claudia [Winkleman] would be bloody amazing, but that's not going to happen is it. I would just like to see down to earth people doing it. I don't think you can play the game if you're thinking about your ego all the time."
Beeb, if you're reading this, maybe recruit our Diane for this one, too? She might not do Celebrity Big Brother, but we have an inkling she'd say yes to this one. One glass of fizzy rose just isn't enough, and the thought of watching Diane come for a Love Island star at the roundtable is just dreamy.
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Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about Big Brother, Love Island, and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is 💅