The second series of The Celebrity Traitors is set to feature a huge plot twist that has never been seen on the hit BBC show before, reportedly leaving producers 'shocked'. Already being billed as the 'most treacherous series so far', it is claimed that a third of the contestants will end up as Traitors when the new season starts later this year.
Unprecedented Recruiting Spree
A source told The Sun: 'Those working on the programme were quite shocked by the approach adopted by the core Traitors. They went on a recruiting spree that has never been seen on either the celebrity or the civilian version of the show in the UK.'
'Last year, the original three Traitors secretly selected by Claudia remained as a trio throughout the competition — which turned out to be a winning approach. But on the follow-up series, all that changes. There's a thrilling shift in the balance of power,' the source added. 'Even though the whole programme is based on skullduggery, nobody thought it would reach these levels.'
Filming and Contestants
Filming in the famous Scottish castle is already believed to have wrapped, but fans will have to wait for the show to air to find out who the Traitors are and which famous faces they will go on to recruit. This year's impressive line-up has already been revealed, with 21 contestants on the celebrity version hosted by Claudia Winkleman.
Among those taking part this year is actor Richard E Grant, along with Mick Jagger's ex Jerry Hall, former EastEnders star Ross Kemp, singer James Blunt, and Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock. Love Island host Maya Jama will also battle it out to win the 2026 series alongside comedians Miranda Hart, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett, James Acaster, Joe Lycett, and Joanne McNally.
Actors Michael Sheen, Sharon Rooney, Bella Ramsey, Myha’la, Sebastian Croft, and ex Corrie star Julie Hesmondhalgh have also signed up. Journalist Amol Rajan, boxer King Kenny, and mathematician Professor Hannah Fry complete the 2026 line-up.
Previous Season and Predictions
In the 2025 series, comedian Alan Carr schemed his way to victory after being cast as a traitor. Rumours are already swirling over who this year's traitors will be. Perrie Edwards predicted that her bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock will likely be cast as a traitor because of her affinity for mischief. Speaking on the Hanging Out with Ant & Dec podcast, she said: 'Oh she is so annoying, I already know she is going to annoy me. You don't understand how infuriating it is, she would lie about silly things... she'd do pranks... I don't know if I've got it in me to watch her do that for a full series.'
Celebrity Traitors will return to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
