The BBC has confirmed Celebrity Traitors will return to BBC One for a second series in 2026, following a hugely successful debut that became one of the broadcaster’s biggest entertainment hits. Claudia Winkleman will host again and filming will take place at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands. Companion show Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked will also return.
An average of 11.1 million viewers watched this year’s Celebrity final live, making it the biggest single-show live audience of the year, the BBC said. It was the largest overnight audience since the Gavin and Stacey finale, which drew 12.3 million viewers on Christmas Day last year. England’s Euro 2025 final averaged around 12 million viewers across BBC One and ITV.
The Celebrity Traitors finale featured traitors Cat Burns and Alan Carr, and faithfuls Joe Marler, Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga, competing for an £87,500 charity prize. Comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner after persuading Mohammed and Olusoga he was a faithful.
An economic impact report published on Monday estimates the Traitors franchise — including the UK, US and Celebrity editions — has contributed about £21.8 million (gross value added) to Scotland’s economy since production began in 2022. Compiled with Screen Scotland and Visit Scotland, the report credits the series with supporting hundreds of local jobs and promoting the Highlands as a filming location.
Based on a Dutch format created by Marc Pos, The Traitors first aired on BBC One in 2022 and has spawned editions worldwide, including Australia, Canada and Italy. Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, said the show had “truly captivated the nation” and confirmed the castle will reopen in 2026 to welcome celebrity players for a second series. A fourth season of Traitors UK will also air in 2026.
