Copyright walesonline
The BBC has confirmed the future of The Celebrity Traitors after it proved to be a huge hit. For the first time in the UK show's history, Claudia Winkleman welcomed 19 stars into Scotland's Ardross Castle as they played the ultimate game of betrayal and treachery. Over nine episodes, there were plenty of Bafta-worthy moments, from Alan Carr’s hysterics as he dangled from a tree, crying “I feel like a winner and a eunuch,” to Tom Daley’s side-eye to Kate Garraway, and Celia Imrie breaking the internet with her fart. Traitor Alan Carr emerged victorious after a tearful finale , winning £87,500 for Neuroblastoma UK, having defeated the likes of Cat Burns, Nick Mohammed, Joe Marler, Jonathan Ross and Sir Stephen Fry in brutal banishments and murders. The BBC has now confirmed that a second series will return, after the fourth civilian instalment hitting screens early next year. Cast rumours have already begun to swirl, after reports Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones had been asked to take part while Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis admitted he had "fomo" after declining the opportunity to star in season one. Announcing the news in a statement today, the BBC revealed: "With Claudia Winkleman once again at the helm, the now iconic Ardross Castle will host a new group of star-studded schemers in 2026 as the ultimate game of trust and treachery returns." This comes after the first episode of The Celebrity Traitors became the biggest single episode on TV so far this year with 14.8m views (28 days) and The Celebrity Traitors has now become the biggest Unscripted title across the entire market in the UK since 2021. The finale broke records, (averaging 11.1m with a peak of 12m), making it the biggest overnight audience across the market since the BBC's own record-breaking Gavin & Stacey viewing on Christmas Day last year, and biggest overnight share (81%) since the Euros last year. The finale episode had 1.9m live requests on BBC iPlayer, which makes this the highest live-viewing number for any Entertainment episode on iPlayer of all time. Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, said: “Studio Lambert have done an outstanding job as The Celebrity Traitors has well and truly captivated the nation, becoming a bona fide highlight of the year bringing record numbers of people together to enjoy every twist and turn. "In 2026 the doors of the castle will be opened again to welcome celebrity players to the game to see who can charm, who can scheme and ultimately who can survive in series two which promises to be just as unmissable as the first. Plus with Uncloaked returning and today’s news of the positive contribution The Traitors brand has made to Scotland’s economy, there is plenty to celebrate.” Hayley Valentine, Director BBC Scotland said: “The Traitors is an immense TV success story and it’s fantastic to have multiple versions of it filmed in Scotland. We welcome and celebrate it. "This report highlights the many ways that Scotland is seeing a direct economic benefit from The Traitors filming here and, working together with our partners, we will use this success to promote sustainable growth within Scotland’s creative industry.” The Celebrity Traitors is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
