Claudia Winkleman has given fans of Celebrity Traitors UK some very good news – with the presenter confirming that the cast for the upcoming second series is packed with major names.
Asked whether viewers could expect some more ‘big dogs’ to appear on the new series, which is set to film shortly, Winkleman didn’t hold back.
She said: “There certainly are.
“The people who make it are extraordinary and they had to repeat the people twice to me because I was like, ‘Huh, are you joking? Come again’.
“So, we’re incredibly lucky.”
Asked whether stars are now queuing up to take part following the success of the first series, she added: “Yeah, I hope so. We’re so grateful that people want to come and play the game.
“And the people who said yes for series one, I still can’t believe it. I was shaking when you see Stephen Fry walking around the castle and Alan Carr, Ruth Codd, all of these people I was obsessed by.”
That reaction is hardly surprising given just how big the first celebrity edition turned out to be.
Building on the already massive popularity of The Traitors format, the UK celebrity spin-off quickly became one of the BBC’s standout entertainment hits, drawing millions of viewers per episode and dominating iPlayer catch-up charts.
@bbcsounds The Celebrity Traitors players watch the finale together #TheCelebrityTraitors #Uncloaked #Podcast ♬ original sound - BBC Sounds
Much of that success has been credited to Winkleman herself, who has now firmly cemented her status as one of the most distinctive and beloved presenters on British and Irish television. Already hugely popular thanks to Strictly Come Dancing, her work on Celebrity Traitors has arguably taken her to another level.
Her signature fringe, gothic wardrobe and dry, often surreal delivery have become inseparable from the show’s identity, while her ability to heighten tension at the Round Table – before undercutting it with a perfectly timed quip – has made her central to its appeal.
The format itself also played a huge role in its success. Set in a remote Scottish castle, the series sees contestants split into “Faithfuls” and “Traitors”, with the latter secretly “murdering” players while the group attempts to root them out.
The psychological element – watching celebrities bluff, lie and turn on one another – proved irresistible viewing, particularly as reputations and friendships were put on the line in front of a national audience.
@metroentertainment Claudia Winkleman... the woman that you are👑 @thetraitors comes to an end tonight and we had to of course recognise Claudia's iconic one-liners this series. What's been your favourite moment? 📲Follow us for entertainment content and more #thetraitors #thetraitorsbbc #traitors #claudiawinkleman #competition #realitytv #uk #bbcshow #fyp #foryoupagee ♬ original sound - Metro Entertainment
When it came to casting, the BBC leaned heavily into recognisable, high-profile names – something Winkleman herself has clearly not forgotten.
Alongside Stephen Fry, Alan Carr and Ruth Codd, the line-up featured a mix of actors, comedians and TV personalities, including Pamola Faith and Cat Burns, and other familiar faces who brought very different strategies and personalities into the game.
That variety proved key, with some players leaning into deception and others struggling under the pressure of constant suspicion.
At the centre of it all was Alan Carr, who ultimately emerged as the winner of the first celebrity series.
Importantly, the success of the first series also demonstrated that the celebrity version could stand on its own, rather than simply riding on the coattails of the original civilian format.
Critics were broadly positive, with many praising its ambition and willingness to take risks, even if some reviews noted that the show was still finding its feet. Either way, it was clear that Celebrity Traitors had struck a chord – and fast.
All of that now feeds into growing anticipation for series two.
With Winkleman teasing an even more impressive cast – one that reportedly left even her shocked – expectations are significantly higher this time around. The combination of bigger names, a proven format and an audience that now fully understands the game means the stakes are only going one way.
If the first season turned Celebrity Traitors into a breakout hit, the second now has the challenge of proving it wasn’t a one-off. And based on Winkleman’s reaction alone, the BBC may already have pulled it off.
Alan Carr has revealed that he sought professional support after winning Celebrity Traitors, admitting the experience left him emotionally drained and in need of time to reset.
The comedian and television presenter emerged victorious on the BBC reality series last year, taking home £87,500 for a children’s neuroblastoma charity. The dramatic final was watched by an estimated 15 million viewers, cementing the celebrity edition as one of the broadcaster’s biggest entertainment hits of the year.
Despite the success, Carr has now spoken candidly about the toll the show took on his mental health. Speaking to The Times, he explained that support was made available to contestants once filming wrapped — something he ultimately decided to take up.
“At the end of Celebrity Traitors you have access to a mental health nurse,” Carr said. “I thought, I'll go and have a look because it was all getting to be quite stressful.”
@bbc LEGEND, HERO, ICON #TheCelebrityTraitors #ClaudiaWinkleman #CelebrityTraitors #AlanCarr ♬ original sound - BBC
Filmed in a remote castle in Scotland, Celebrity Traitors places contestants under constant psychological pressure, with players required to lie, manipulate alliances and second-guess even their closest friends. The format, adapted from the international hit De Verraders, has been widely praised for its intensity, but has also sparked conversations around contestant welfare, particularly as the celebrity version attracted heightened public scrutiny.
Carr’s journey on the show saw him carefully navigate shifting loyalties, late-night round tables and emotionally charged confrontations, ultimately convincing fellow finalists that he could be trusted. His calm exterior and humour proved to be a winning combination, but Carr has now admitted that maintaining that composure came at a cost.
Compounding the stress was the fact that Carr had little time to decompress once filming ended. He revealed that he went straight from wrapping Celebrity Traitors into work commitments, including filming Channel 4’s Secret Genius, leaving him no opportunity to properly process the experience.
@channel4 I think we all know now not to underestimate Alan Carr #SecretGenius ♬ original sound - Channel 4
During his conversation with the mental health nurse, Carr said he was challenged on his relentless work schedule. “She went, ‘Are you a workaholic? Why don't you think you deserve a day off?’” he recalled. “And I went, ‘I do feel like I deserve a day off but I've just been offered so many lovely things.’”
Carr’s comments highlight the often unseen pressures faced by high-profile entertainers, particularly those balancing intense reality television with ongoing professional demands. Known for his distinctive humour and warm on-screen persona, Carr has enjoyed a long-standing career across stand-up, panel shows and prime-time hosting roles.
Since his Celebrity Traitors win, Carr has continued to maintain a packed schedule, appearing across multiple TV formats while also returning to live comedy. Reflecting on his current position, he said he is “enjoying the ride” and feels “really proud of his CV”, suggesting a renewed sense of perspective following the experience.
Carr’s openness also comes amid a wider shift in the television industry, with broadcasters increasingly prioritising mental health support for reality TV participants. Shows like Celebrity Traitors now routinely provide access to psychologists or mental health professionals during and after filming, acknowledging the unique pressures created by isolation, strategy-based gameplay and intense public attention.
For Carr, taking that support appears to have been a positive step. While he remains busy, his comments suggest a growing awareness of the need for balance — even during a career high point.
Having navigated both the psychological demands of Celebrity Traitors and the immediate return to high-pressure work, Carr’s reflections offer a rare insight into what happens once the cameras stop rolling — and the importance of taking care of mental health, even when success appears to be at its peak.
Written by Louise Ducrocq
Louise is an expert content creator, and online author for Ireland's Classic Hits Radio. She's evolved in a few different fields, including mental health and travel, and is now excited to be part of the wonderful word of Radio.
