The Traitors UK celebrity special is officially on the way, inviting a batch of people who literally lie for a living to con their way to victory in a star-studded spin-off of BBC One’s viral hit series. As if this wasn’t enough, The Traitors has also secured a fourth season of its civilian edition before its already-shot third season has aired.

Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, its premise is deceptively simple: 22 strangers meet at a Scottish mansion, with a select few selected to be the titular Traitors. These secret foes must live among their remaining Faithful housemates and try their best to avoid detection while killing off players via nightly eliminations.

It’s up to the Faithful to spot and stop the Traitors before their numbers dwindle. If they achieve this goal, a growing prize jackpot is theirs for the taking. If they lose, the prize money goes to the Traitors.

Putting players’ lying — and lie-detecting — skills to the test, The Traitors has become a quick hit for the Beeb. Here’s everything we know about its celebrity spin-off, including its release date, cast, trailers and more.

Who are the stars that might take on Celebrity Traitors?

Stephen Fry

Early rumours have suggested that British acting icon Stephen Fry is all-but confirmed to star in the spin-off series. According to a source quoted by The Sun, the Blackadder actor told show bosses: “Name a time and date and I’ll be there.”

Chatting to Lorraine about reality shows in November, Fry said that “hell would have frozen over” before he would do Strictly Come Dancing or I’m A Celebrity, but made things sound more promising for Celebrity Traitors.

He said of the rumours that he was in the cast: “Well, of course I’m in no position to say, I may be practising lying or may be simply talking the truth. I regard that not as reality, but again, I do like games. So, should I be asked, who knows.

“There is a version with well-known faces – I can’t bring myself to say the word celebrity without dry hacking – but yes, it’s an interesting idea.”

Alan Carr

Chatty Man Alan Carr could be challenged with staying tight-lipped on the contest as The Sun has claimed the comedian and chat show host is in “final stage” talks with the BBC show.

However, speaking about the rumours on Good Morning Britain, Carr’s celebrity pal Richard Arnold questioned whether the talkative star would be capable of pulling the wool over the other players’ eyes, as he said that Carr is terrible at lying.

Paloma Faith

Pop star Paloma Faith is the latest name linked to Celebrity Traitors. The Sun says the Picking Up The Pieces singer will be heading to the Scottish castle when the show films in 2025, but will she be Paloma Faithful or Paloma Traitor?

Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper

It looks like award-winning siblings Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper will be filling the role of the double act in the celebrity edition of The Traitors. The This Country duo will follow in the footsteps of mother-son duo Diane and Ross from the 2024 edition, going into the castle with a prior relationship that adds another dimension to the show’s winning formula.

The Sun says the Coopers signed up after Andy Murray and his mum Judy turned down an offer to join the show. This makes an earlier rumour of Tess Daly and Vernon Kay joining seem unlikely now.

Robert Peston

After switching sides for ITV News back in 2015, former broadcaster Robert Peston is rumoured to be returning to the BBC for Celebrity Traitors.

The former BBC News stalwart was poached by its commercial rival where he has become the front of politics for ITV, so a return to the BBC is exactly the kind of drama the reality show thrives on.

Clare Balding

Clare Balding is the latest celebrity rumoured to be heading to the Scottish castle to lie and deceive her way to the end of the BBC show, according to The Sun.

The TV star currently presents for BBC Sport and Channel 4 but Celebrity Traitors would allow audiences to see who Balding is as a person in her day-to-day life.

If it is true, she would be a great get for Celebrity Traitors because she has turned down reality TV stints on Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here in the past. She previously said: “I wouldn’t do it. If they were building a school in Africa or something worthy I’d do it.”

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay

In September 2024, it was reported that husband and wife team Vernon Kay and Tess Daly had signed up for the show. According to The Sun, the pair will be a duo like mum and son Diane and Ross were in the last series.

With Daly a huge star thanks to hosting Strictly with Winkleman and Kay known for radio and fronting programmes like The One Show, viewers will know they are married and so will the other celebs, so they won’t be able to keep their alliance on the down low. But it seems it’s thought the strategy could still create tension and keep the contenders on their toes.

With Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper now rumoured to be joining the show, the Tess and Vernon rumours seems to have gone quiet.

Tom Daley

After confirming his retirement from diving again, Tom Daley could have plans to take the plunge with an entirely different career move. It’s been rumoured that the Olympic legend will ride the waves of reality TV with a stint on Celebrity Traitors.

In recent months, the sports star achieved a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Daley returned to diving after his son made a special request to see him in action but now he has plans to spend more time at home with his family.

Courteney Cox

Courteney Cox was the very first star to be tipped to take part on Celebrity Traitors. In real life, she’s BFFs with Winkleman who hosts the show and they were pictured together enjoying a fun outing in February this year.

The Friends star even helped Winkleman recruit for the second series of the BBC reality show by getting involved in a promo video on social media with her pal.

Winkleman spoke to The Telegraph about her close female friends in the past. She said: “Friendships with my girlfriends might be the thing I’m most proud of. I have got a gang of girls and they’ve been my best friends for ever, and we talk all the time.

“We don’t do grand things – “let’s all get dressed up and go out”. I mean, obviously, we have done that over the years, but now that we’re all 50 it’s a lot of chatting on the phone, or a cup of tea, or a pop-round. They’re vital to my existence.”

Jonathan Ross

Talk show host Jonathan Ross has also been mentioned.

It was reported that Ross was considering an appearance on The Traitors’ celebrity debut, having said he “might be doing a reality-type thing” in the near future.

Other names like pro poker player Victoria Coren Mitchell, EastEnders actor Adam Woodyatt and Hollywood star and former Spider-Man Andrew Garfield were also highlighted as potential celebrities heading for the Scottish castle.

Celebrity Traitors is coming soon to BBC One and iPlayer.