It won’t be long now until Claudia Winkleman packs her many capes, finger-gloves and jet black eyeliner to head to Scotland for Celebrity Traitors’ new series.
The TV presenter will be welcoming a new line-up of celebs into the castle – and the guest list has already been confirmed.
Appearing on The One Show on Wednesday (25 March), Winkleman revealed that the 2026 cast is now complete. “The people who make it are extraordinary and they had to repeat the people twice to me because I was like, ‘Huh, are you joking? Come again,’” she said. “We’re incredibly lucky.”
She added that fans can expect some “big dogs” to take this year – referencing the term Joe Marler coined in the last series for influential players Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross.
“We’re so grateful that people want to come and play the game,” she said. “And the people who said yes for series one, I still can’t believe it. I was shaking when you see Stephen Fry walking around the castle and Alan Carr, Ruth Codd, all of these people I was obsessed by. I’m very excited.”
We’ll have to wait a bit longer for the BBC’s big cast announcement – but rumours are rife in the meantime, with the likes of Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville and Oscar nominee Richard E Grant among those tipped to don the coveted Traitors cloak.
A source told The Sun in February that the pair of “national treasures” are being eyed up by producers.
“Both would be hugely entertaining at the roundtable and in the turret, if made Traitors,” they added. The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.
With more speculative stars being added to the mix, here are the contestants rumoured to be entering the Celebrity Traitors castle.
Carol Kirkwood
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After bidding an emotional farewell to BBC viewers on Wednesday, former weather presenter and national treasure Carol Kirkwood could be returning to our TV screens sooner than we realised.
After Kirkwood’s BBC Breakfast exit, betting site Ladbrokes gave the presenter odds of 6/1 for her to join Celebrity Traitors’ next series.
Whatever the case may be, with her sunny disposition and beaming smile, it’s true that Carol could fool even the most vigilant of faithfuls. The Independent has reached out to the BBC and Kirkwood for comment.
Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen has just been confirmed as the new host of House of Games, but there’s a chance he’ll be getting even more BBC airtime this year – with the Welsh actor rumoured to be heading to the Celebrity Traitors castle.
Sheen, 57, is best known for starring in 2006’s The Queen, Frost/Nixon and Good Omens, but has branched out into TV presenting in recent years, with the actor hosting several documentaries for the BBC.
A source told The Sun that Sheen is being seen as a “big dog signing” by the BBC, with everyone “hugely excited” behind the scenes. “Michael has had a lot of practice playing lying, duplicitous and scheming men – the Traitors should be a breeze,” they added, referencing his villainous roles in Prodigal Son and Twilight: New Moon among others.
A BBC spokesperson told The Independent: “We aren’t commenting on speculation and details for The Celebrity Traitors series two will be announced in due course.”
Amol Rajan
Rajan recently stepped away from his high profile gig as one of the host of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, a gig that involved questioning some of the biggest names in politics live on air. Could he soon be putting those interviewing skills to good use on The Traitors? A source has claimed to The Sun that the broadcaster is one of the show’s latest signings.
“Getting Amol is a massive coup,” the source told the paper. “He is used to holding the country’s sharpest minds to account and spotting a lie from a mile away on the Today programme.
“Producers know he won’t be easily fooled by his fellow celebrities. He has the perfect poker face and the academic brains to go all the way, whether Claudia taps him on the shoulder to be a Traitor or leaves him as a Faithful.”
Hugh Bonneville
Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville may be swapping one stately home for another on the Celebrity Traitors. The 62-year-old, best known for playing Robert Crawley on the ITV period drama, has reportedly been approached by producers, with a source telling The Sun that his “charming and funny” qualities make him the perfect candidate.
After his wholesome turn in Paddington and bumbling performances in W1A and Notting Hill, could it be time for Hugh to embrace his dark side as a Traitor?
Richard E. Grant
National treasure Richard E Grant has starred in Withnail and I, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and other critically-acclaimed films, but is he ready to give the performance of a lifetime on Celebrity Traitors?
The Oscar-nominated actor, 68, is reportedly in talks with producers, who think the “clever, witty and endearing” actor is a perfect fit for the show.
He’s also revealed in the past how he’s “obsessed” with Celebrity Traitors, admitting: “I’d love to go on it. My daughter said I’d be thrown out after half an hour because you’re incapable of hiding what you feel about somebody in any way shape or form.”
With an impressive resume and national treasure status, Grant could follow in the footsteps of his Gosford Park co-star Stephen Fry to become the next castle “big dog”.
Hugh Grant
There could be another Hugh in the Celebrity Traitors castle this year, with the romcom king rumoured to be taking part.
A source told The Sun earlier in February that bosses think the Bafta winner would be “a huge coup” for the show, which is quite the understatement.
Having shed his floppy-haired leading man image for edgier roles in The Undoing and Heretic in recent years, could the 65-year-old make the perfect Traitor? If so, let’s hope he manages to stay awake at the roundtable…
Danny Dyer
TV’s hard man Danny Dyer is another name in the running for a spot in the castle – after turning down the show last year.
A source told The Sun in January that the ex EastEnders star was “always top” of bosses’ wish list, but had no interest in doing the show until watching it last year. “As soon as his tune changed, it was all systems go,” they added.
After his swoon-worthy turn in Rivals last year as a cheater with a heart of gold, we wouldn’t be surprised if he’s tipped to be a Faithful – even if his Rutshire character isn’t.
Alison Hammond
Producers are reportedly eager to get reality queen-turned-presenter Alison Hammond in the castle, having approached the This Morning star.
A source told The Sun in January that the BBC think she could be “comedy gold”, but like winner Alan Carr. “Contracts won’t be signed until closer to the start of production but the BBC are already keen to get Alison on board,” they added.
However, they may be left disappointed as she revealed in March that filming clashes with Bake Off.
“I can’t do it because I’m doing Bake Off,” the 51-year-old explained on The Jonathan Ross Show. “I think it’s the same time when I’m doing Bake Off, so that’s a definite no.”
Jason Manford
Funny man Jason Manford let slip earlier in February that he’s in talks to be on the show’s next series. Speaking to The Sun, Manford revealed that there had been “conversations and stuff about it behind the scenes” – although he admitted that he’s waiting for producers to “come down the ladder of show business”, considering there are some big names said to be in the running.
But with last year’s series featuring four comedians, it would make sense for stand-up and singer Manford to make the cut.
Liam Gallagher
Oasis’ Liam Gallagher is a veteran when it comes to celebrity feuds, so there’s no doubt he’d be a natural when it came to roundtable accusations.
The rock star let slip on X earlier in February that he had been approached by the BBC, replying to a fan: “I’ve been asked.”
If the singer’s public feud with brother Noel is anything to go by, Gallagher could be an opinionated presence in the castle – I’d pay the licence fee several times over to watch him squabble with Hugh Grant.
Cheryl
Former Girls Aloud singer and X Factor judge Cheryl Tweedy has spent the last few years out of the spotlight, but Celebrity Traitors could mark her return to TV. According to The Sun, the 42-year-old is being courted by BBC bosses, who think she would be “brilliant at playing the game”.
Tweedy is mum to eight-year-old son, Bear, who she shared with ex-partner Liam Payne before the One Direction singer’s death in October 2024. A source added to The Sun: “Of course, filming over several weeks would take her away from her son, which could be a reason she turns it down.
“Bookers are keen for the best stars to take part and not reality-TV has-beens.”
Daisy May Cooper
This Country’s Daisy May Cooper is tipped to take part in this year’s series – having reportedly dropped out of filming for the first run last April.
A source told The Sun in December that bosses are “pulling out all the stops” to get her on the show, after she quit Celebrity Traitors’ first series shortly after the birth of her son Benji.
The Bafta winner was rumoured last year to be taking part in the show alongside her co-star brother Charlie, which would make them the show’s first not-so-secret siblings if he were also to return.
The Independent has reached out to the BBC for comment.
