By Yasmin Vince

Copyright mirror

For three seasons, The Traitors has delighted by audiences by taking ordinary people up to castle and forcing them to ‘murder’ each other for money. But now, the newest edition is shaking everything up by replacing those ordinary people with celebrities – who will have to forget their media training to make it work. According to PR expert Chad Teixeira, the show will be different with a star-studded cast . “The dynamic of the show will inevitably shift and it won’t be the same!” he said. “With celebrities, the stakes are less about money changing someone’s life and more about reputations, alliances, and entertainment value. Celebrities bring pre-existing public personas, so viewers will watch not only for the gameplay but also to see how they behave outside of their curated image. That makes the show less of a social experiment and more of a spectacle.” He added that this could still be compelling but that the celebs taking part will need to “lean into the spirit of the game” rather than “walking on eggshells” to keep audiences from being put off by a show that feels staged. In fact, audiences may enjoy the show more if cracks start to show. Chad explained: “Media training equips celebrities to control narratives, project confidence, and manage perception, but in a high-pressure environment like The Traitors, even the most polished media training can slip. Audiences are more savvy then ever and they can spot when someone is playing a role or faking it. versus being authentic. “Ironically, that tension might make the show more fascinating, watching people who are usually in control of their image be stripped of it and placed in a setting they’re not used to could really cause some tension. “UK audiences are generally more skeptical of celebrity behaviour, while American audiences are often more receptive to star-led formats. I think British viewers will tune in with curiosity, but they’ll be quick to critique if it feels too staged. The reaction will likely hinge on whether the celebrities lean into the spirit of the game rather than simply protecting their brand and walking on eggshells.” Chad mentioned American audiences because their version of The Traitors have always included celebrities. When asked if The Traitors US had an impact on the BBC commissioning a celebrity version of the show, he said: “The US version proved that the celebrity format can work. It drew headlines, extended the franchise’s reach, and opened new commercial opportunities. “But for the BBC, it’s also about tapping into an audience that might not normally watch reality TV. By bringing in well, known names, they broaden the appeal and create more media buzz, which keeps The Traitors at the heart of the cultural conversation. The civilian version of the show in the UK, has grown so much in popularity and is one of the most talked about reality shows so this seemed like an obvious next step.” Celebrity versions of reality shows are popular in the UK – Big Brother’s celeb edition this year drew in thousands of viewers, especially as the show spilled into news headlines as Jojo Siwa and Chris Hughes sparked relationship rumours. But there are other times, like with Joey Essex’s turn on Love Island , where viewers have said they’d rather keep the old format than introduce celebrities. However, Chad noted there is a key distinction between Love Island and The Celebrity Traitors. “When you put one celebrity into a non-celebrity format, the balance feels off, the dynamic shifts towards them. But when everyone is a celebrity, the playing field levels out. They all know cameras, they all understand performance, but they’ll also be competing against each other’s reputations.” The show launches today (8 October). Its line-up includes Stephen Fry, Claire Balding, Paloma Faith, Alan Carr and more. “It’s eclectic,” Chad said of the cast. “Which is exactly what you want. A mix of household names, controversial figures, and unexpected cast members ensures broad appeal. The best reality casting isn’t about stacking the deck with A-listers, it’s about chemistry, friction, and unpredictability.” Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .