Celebrities trading comfort for betrayal made BBC’s Celebrity Traitors an instant hit. Series 2 promises even more drama with 21 confirmed contestants including actors, comedians, and journalists — here’s the full line-up, series 1 recap, and everything known so far about the 2026 episodes.

4 related posts

Series: 2 ·
Celebrity contestants: 21 ·
Host: Claudia Winkleman ·
Premiere date (series 1): 8 October 2025 ·
Network: BBC One / iPlayer

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact air date for series 2 not yet announced (as of April 2026)
  • Full elimination order for series 2 unknown until broadcast
  • Series 1 winner not disclosed in provided inputs
3Timeline signal
  • Series 1: October 2025 on BBC One (Wikipedia editorial record)
  • Series 2 filmed: early 2026 (Wikipedia production notes)
  • Series 2 cast revealed: 2 May 2026 (Wikipedia)
4What’s next
  • Series 2 expected to air autumn 2026 on BBC One and iPlayer (Wikipedia scheduling)
  • Uncloaked companion show returns with Ed Gamble (Wikipedia)

The key facts table below consolidates production details, host information, and contestant counts across both series.

Key facts about The Celebrity Traitors UK
Attribute Value Source
Show name The Celebrity Traitors (UK) BBC Media Centre
First broadcast 8 October 2025 Wikipedia editorial record
Number of series 2 (series 2 filmed 2026, not yet aired) Wikipedia
Host Claudia Winkleman Wikipedia
Network BBC One / iPlayer BBC iPlayer schedule
Series 1 winner Not disclosed in provided inputs N/A
Celebrity contestants series 2 21 Wikipedia
Prize per series Up to £100,000 for charity Wikipedia
Companion show The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked with Ed Gamble Wikipedia

Who are the people in Celebrity Traitors UK?

Full list of celebrity contestants for series 2 (2026)

The BBC confirmed the 21-person line-up for series 2 on 2 May 2026 via the BBC Media Centre. The Guardian called it “one of the most high-profile casts ever assembled for a reality TV show” (Wikipedia).

  • Amol Rajan – journalist and broadcaster (Wikipedia editorial record)
  • Bella Ramsey – actress (The Last of Us) (Wikipedia)
  • James Acaster – comedian (Wikipedia)
  • James Blunt – singer-songwriter (Wikipedia)
  • Jerry Hall – model and actress (Wikipedia)
  • Joanne McNally – comedian (Wikipedia)
  • Hannah Fry – mathematician and broadcaster (Wikipedia)
  • Rob Beckett – comedian (Wikipedia)
  • Romesh Ranganathan – comedian (Wikipedia)
Bottom line: The cast spans comedy, drama, music, and journalism — a deliberate move to create unpredictable social dynamics. The pairing of close friends Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, who have appeared together on Rob & Romesh Vs, adds pre-existing tension that producers will likely exploit.

Notable cast members: Amol Rajan, Bella Ramsey, James Acaster

Three contestants stand out for their cross-demographic appeal. Bella Ramsey’s casting brings a younger, international audience from their role in The Last of Us (Wikipedia). James Acaster and Rob Beckett represent the strong comedy contingent, while Amol Rajan adds the BBC’s own journalistic presence. These 21 celebrities will compete for up to £100,000 for their chosen charities (Wikipedia).

The upshot

For reality TV fans, series 2’s cast breadth means the show will likely feel less like a standard celebrity competition and more like a social experiment mixing A-list actors, stand-up comedians, and public intellectuals — a formula that maximises both drama and unpredictability.

Who will be in Celebrity Traitors 2026?

Celebrity Traitors 2026 cast revealed: full line-up

Building on what we’ve covered, the series 2 cast includes several household names joining for the first time. The BBC confirmed that the companion show The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked will return, hosted by Ed Gamble (Wikipedia). The show’s format remains unchanged: 21 celebrities compete in psychological missions, with some designated “Traitors” who attempt to eliminate “Faithfuls” at night.

New names joining the show in series 2

  • James Blunt – joins as a Faithful candidate (per format) (Wikipedia cast list)
  • Jerry Hall – joins as a contestant (Wikipedia)
  • Joanne McNally – joins as a contestant (Wikipedia)
  • Hannah Fry – joins as a contestant (Wikipedia)
Bottom line: The BBC is deliberately mixing established stars (Blunt, Hall) with current TV faces (Fry, McNally) to create generational and personality clashes. Series 2 filming, which took place in early 2026, is already complete — meaning the outcome is known to producers but kept under embargo until broadcast.

Who has been eliminated from Celebrity Traitors UK?

Series 1 eliminations: murdered and banished contestants

Series 1 aired weekly on BBC One from 8 October 2025, with eliminations occurring in each episode. The BBC officially lists “murdered” (eliminated by Traitors) and “banished” (voted out by Faithfuls) contestants after each broadcast. For series 2, elimination data will only be available after episodes air. The implication: viewers seeking spoilers for series 2 will need to wait until autumn 2026 for the BBC to release weekly results.

Series 2 progress so far

As of April 2026, no series 2 elimination data exists because the episodes have not yet been broadcast. The exact air date for series 2 has not been announced (Wikipedia scheduling notes). Viewers can expect weekly updates on the BBC iPlayer and One channels once the series premieres in autumn 2026.

What to watch

For series 2, the pre-existing friendships — like Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan’s close bond — will create a unique social dynamic. Whether they end up as Faithfuls or Traitors, their history together means the game’s trust mechanic will be tested far more than in series 1.

Is there a season 2 of Celebrity Traitors UK?

Confirmed: Celebrity Traitors UK series 2 has already been filmed

Yes, the BBC greenlit a second series of The Celebrity Traitors following the success of series 1. Filming took place in early 2026 at a remote Scottish location, with all 21 contestants participating. The show’s ten episodes have already been produced, though the exact air date remains unannounced. The BBC Media Centre confirmed the line-up on 2 May 2026 (Wikipedia).

When will series 2 air on BBC One and iPlayer?

Based on the series 1 precedent (October 2025 premiere) and typical BBC scheduling patterns, series 2 is expected to air in autumn 2026. The show will be available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. No specific date has been announced as of April 2026 (Wikipedia scheduling notes).

Bottom line: The BBC has committed to The Celebrity Traitors as an annual series. For viewers, the wait for series 2’s exact premiere date is the only remaining unknown — the cast, format, and companion show are all locked in.

Why did Tom Hiddleston drop out of Celebrity Traitors?

Tom Hiddleston was originally rumoured but not in final cast

Early casting rumours in 2025 suggested that actor Tom Hiddleston was in talks to appear in series 1 of The Celebrity Traitors. However, the BBC never officially confirmed his participation (UK press reports). Ultimately, Hiddleston did not appear in either series 1 or series 2.

Reason for withdrawal: schedule conflict (film commitments)

According to UK press reports in 2025, Hiddleston withdrew from early discussions due to scheduling conflicts with film commitments. The Loki and The Night Manager actor had multiple projects in pre-production during the same period. Notably, his non-participation was never officially confirmed or denied by the BBC or Hiddleston’s representatives — the story remains largely speculative.

Bottom line: Tom Hiddleston was never a confirmed contestant on The Celebrity Traitors UK. For fans hoping to see him in the castle, the reality is that his rumoured involvement was just that — a rumour — and he has not appeared in either the current or upcoming series.

Timeline: Key dates for The Celebrity Traitors UK

  • October 2025 – Series 1 of The Celebrity Traitors airs on BBC One (BBC iPlayer schedule)
  • 2025 (pre-series 1) – Tom Hiddleston rumoured but drops out due to schedule (UK press reports)
  • Early 2026 – Series 2 filmed with 21 new celebrity contestants (Wikipedia production notes)
  • 2 May 2026 – BBC confirms series 2 line-up via Media Centre (Wikipedia)
  • TBA 2026 – Series 2 expected to air on BBC One and iPlayer (Wikipedia scheduling)
Bottom line: The BBC has committed to The Celebrity Traitors as an annual series. For viewers, the wait for series 2’s exact premiere date is the only remaining unknown — the cast, format, and companion show are all locked in.

Related reading: Cast of Karen Pirie · EastEnders Spoilers Next Week

For a complete breakdown of every contestant, including bios and elimination status, check out the full 2026 series line-up.

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Frequently asked questions

How many contestants are in Celebrity Traitors UK series 2?

There are 21 celebrity contestants in series 2, confirmed by the BBC on 2 May 2026.

Who hosts The Celebrity Traitors UK?

Claudia Winkleman hosts both series of The Celebrity Traitors UK on BBC One.

When was Celebrity Traitors UK series 1 released?

Series 1 premiered on 8 October 2025 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

How can I watch Celebrity Traitors UK?

The show airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

Are there any famous actors in Celebrity Traitors UK?

Yes, series 2 includes actors such as Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us) and Jerry Hall.

Is Celebrity Traitors UK a spin-off of The Traitors?

Yes, The Celebrity Traitors is a celebrity edition of the BBC’s The Traitors, using the same format with famous contestants.

Did Tom Hiddleston ever appear on Celebrity Traitors?

No, Tom Hiddleston was never a confirmed contestant and did not appear in either series 1 or series 2.