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Finally, it’s that time of year again: the temperature is dropping, the nights are drawing in, and a group of celebrities are about to spend several weeks lying to one another in a Scottish castle. That’s right, Celebrity Traitors is back.
The VIP version of the BBC hit show returned for its hugely anticipated second season on Thursday night (1 October), with the formidable and fringed Claudia Winkleman presiding over a new crop of 21 stars ready to backstab their way to victory, with tough guy Ross Kemp already letting his paranoia get the best of him.
Richard E Grant, meanwhile, was overjoyed to find himself selected as a Traitor alongside Love Island’s Maya Jama. It wasn’t long, though, before the actor made a serious blunder as he confessed to being a Traitor to the whole castle before trying to play it off as a joke.
The Saltburn star was given a chance at redemption, however, when he and Jama were tasked with choosing their third Traitor. The duo opted for two names who had been most vocal in their suspicions about Grant: comedian James Acaster and journalist Amol Rajan.
Acaster and Rajan were called in the middle of the night to plead their case for why they would make a good Traitor, with viewers having to wait until Friday night’s (2 October) episode to see who will complete the 2027 Traitor trio – and who will be on the chopping block.
Stay tuned for all things Traitors right here…
David Tennant backs pal Michael Sheen to make the final
David Tennant has shared his thoughts on how his pal Michael Sheen will fare in the castle – backing him to go all the way.
Referring to Sheen’s role in the ITV drama Quiz, he told Radio Times: “Well, he’s a chameleon, isn’t he? He could be a different person every day, in full prosthetics, and they’ll be going, ‘Who the f**k is that? Why is Chris Tarrant here?'”
“I wouldn’t put [reaching the final] past him,” he continued.
Unfortunately, there’s bad news for anyone hoping Tennant will follow in his Good Omens co-star’s footsteps.
“I don’t think The Celebrity Traitors is something I’d want to do – I’d find it very stressful – but I’m very glad it exists,” he said.
Rachel McGrath2 October 2026 17:30
Claudia’s stylist has good and bad news about last night’s look
If, like me, you were lusting over the stunning Tartan trousers Claudia was wearing for last night’s challenge, then I have an important update.
The presenter’s superstar stylist, Sinead McKeefry, has revealed where they’re from.
The good news is they’re Vivienne Westwood and were purchased online. The bad news? They’re vintage and she hunted them down on Vestiaire, so our chances of finding other pairs are slim. Happy hunting…
Rachel McGrath2 October 2026 16:30
Inside Joe Lycett’s screening party
Joe held a special screening of last night’s series premiere at the Lycett Arms and he’s now shared a video of his pals’ reactions to the episode.
There are a few famous faces in there too – I spy Stephen Libby, one of the two Traitors who won the regular series in January!
Rachel McGrath2 October 2026 16:00
The big questions for tonight’s show
We may only be one episode in but there are already plenty of big questions looming over the series. Here are a few that are on my mind…
Who will be murdered – and who’ll become a Traitor?
Either James or Amol will be suffering a fate no celebrity wants: leaving first. They both made pretty solid cases to the Traitors but I think James might have just edged it by pointing out that he has been on Richard’s case the most.
Amol is a very smart man and would make a brilliant Traitor… but if I were in Maya and Richard’s position, I’d try to think long term too. What are the chances he could outsmart them in a Traitor-on-Traitor war? I’d say pretty high.
How long can Richard E Grant survive?
I say ‘how long’ because his days are clearly numbered. With so little other evidence to go on, the Faithfuls will surely vote him out either at the first round table or one shortly after.
Will Ross Kemp’s blood pressure come down?
That man is on edge. When I saw the cast list, he was the celebrity I was most excited to see in the game and he has not disappointed. I am not kidding when I say I had tears in my eyes at his antics last night. TV gold.
Rachel McGrath2 October 2026 15:30
What time is Celebrity Traitors on tonight?
I don’t know about you but I am counting down the hours.
Tonight’s episode – which will start with the first murder and a third Traitor being selected – kicks off at 8pm on BBC One.
This will be followed by the spin-off show Uncloaked at 9pm.
Rachel McGrath2 October 2026 15:00
More Traitors means more fabulous knitwear, courtesy of who else but Claudia Winkleman – some sartorial inspiration just in time for autumn.
Check out the best of her show-stopping looks below…
Annabel Nugent2 October 2026 14:30
The memes are still rolling in…
Man, I love the internet.
There was a lot to love in last night’s bonkers episode but for me, the king of the castle is Ross Kemp.
Rachel McGrath2 October 2026 13:52
‘Withnail & I’ director: ‘Don’t tell Richard E Grant anything’
One person who won’t be surprised by Richard E Grant’s loose lips on The Celebrity Traitors is Withnail & I director Bruce Robinson.
Robinson once said that the actor, who starred in his 1987 comedy, should be told “nothing” because he is such a “terrible gossip”.
“I’m convinced that when he’s on his own, he gossips about himself,” he added, according to The Telegraph.
Jacob Stolworthy2 October 2026 12:30
