蜜芽传媒

The award-winning reality series returns, but this time, host Claudia Winkleman is inviting a group of celebrities to the beautiful castle in the Scottish Highlands to play this ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust, in the hope of winning up to 拢100,000 for their chosen charities.

Hidden amongst the group are The Traitors whose job is to secretly murder their fellow players, without getting caught.

It鈥檚 up to the others, the Faithful, to try to detect the Traitors and banish them from the game before they become their next victim.

The lucky players who survive to the end have the chance of winning the money. If a Traitor remains undetected, however, they鈥檒l take it all. New series, whole new game.

• Learn more: The Celebrity Traitors - Everything You Need To Know
• Add The Celebrity Traitors to your Watchlist on 蜜芽传媒 iPlayer

The Celebrity Traitors launches on Wednesday 8th October 9pm on 蜜芽传媒 One and iPlayer. There will be two episodes per week on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

LW

Claudia Winkleman

The Traitors is back, but for its first ever Celebrity version. What were your first thoughts when the idea came about?

I was scared. Only because I鈥檓 in love with this show and I wanted to keep it small. Once a year or maybe once every two years felt like enough. My bosses thank goodness ignored everything I said.

What does it mean to you, to have celebrity fans of the show who love it so much they want to play the game themselves?

It鈥檚 an absolute honour. I could barely breathe when I saw them all in the Highlands. I鈥檓 such a fan of every single one of them. The whole team were just in awe, it was hard not to scream 鈥榶ou鈥檙e here!鈥� When I talked to Stephen Fry I almost welled up, I told him 鈥渢his was my dream鈥�. We鈥檙e incredibly lucky to have the cast that we have. Each one of them is tremendous.

How does hosting the celebrity version compare to the regular series?

I think it was scarier, because all I wanted to do was chat to them and make them like me. But of course, I have to be extremely unlikable. It was tricky!

What surprised you the most about having celebrities play the game?

They鈥檙e incredibly smart and kind. They play the game beautifully and were fully engulfed in it. It was an extraordinary experience and we鈥檙e so so lucky this nineteen said yes. It's something we never take for granted and are so grateful for.

What was the biggest challenge with leading the game with celebrities?

The biggest challenge was being 鈥榮trict鈥�. All I wanted to do was chat and be friendly but my role is aloof and grumpy. I found it hard not to just sit down with them and have a cup of tea. My family and I are obsessed with Joe Wilkinson, I had to stop myself getting his autograph for my son.

Alan Cumming said he goes full Bond villain presiding over The Traitors in the US. If you had to channel a character from popular culture as you get yourself into The Traitors mode, who might they be?

Cruella de Vil with a touch of Miss Trunchbull.

Are you ever tempted to help in the Missions? Or has there been one where you鈥檝e been desperate to have a go?

I am DESPERATE to help them all the time. Sometimes I try and drop big clues, but my producer tells me off.

Have you been tempted to, or have you in fact taken, any little keepsake from the castle?

I am always tempted but know better. They鈥檇 search my bags!

What can we expect from your wardrobe this series?

It鈥檚 absolutely nuts. Unhinged in taffeta was where we went...

Meet The Celebrity Traitors Contestants

Clare Balding

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I love the show. Yes, I really find it fascinating; the way group thinking can be influenced. I don't know whether I can resist that or whether I can influence that and I'm kind of interested in it from a psychological perspective. Also, I really want to see the castle, I want to see the grounds and I want to meet the peacocks. Genuinely, I think it's a fascinating programme and it鈥檚 like nothing else.

We'll have a complete digital detox. We've got to connect with each other, talk to each other and how do you work out who to trust? That's different from who you like. Who you like is easier, but who you trust is really hard.

Are you quite good at reading people?

I think I am, but I can be much too trusting so that it would be very easy for somebody to convince me that they were not a Traitor. I have a few things that I'll try and look out for responses to and if I spot anyone being a bit casual about trying to get a shield, that will be very telling!

Have you got a strategy?

I mean, you can't. The trouble is, how do you strategise when, firstly, you don't know if you're a Traitor or a Faithful yet, and secondly, if you're a Faithful, how do you stop yourself getting killed? So, I think if I have a strategy, I鈥檇 be looking at the people like Harry and like Leanne, who'd been very successful and Charlotte, who could have won the whole thing. My strategy would be to try and keep myself under the radar. Do not be the loudest person in any situation. Be good at the Missions, because if you're good at those you have a value. So even if they thought you were a Traitor, would it be worth having you around? That's what I think. If you鈥檝e got a real athlete on the team, I'd want to keep them even if I thought they were a Traitor, because they've got value.

So given the choice, Traitor or Faithful?

I just don't think I'd be a very good Traitor!

Do you have a good poker face?

You can't pretend to be something you're not and the interesting factor in this series in particular is that we鈥檒l have some level of knowledge of each other. It's going to be very hard to put aside the knowledge you have of people, and the trust you have. Tom Daley I've known since he was very young so equally I'd want to be around him. I'd want to look out for him but then he could be a Traitor, of course.

Having interviewed so many sports professionals who are at the top of their game, has anybody ever given you a really good piece of advice? Imparted any winner鈥檚 mentality wisdom as you embark on this game?

Roger Federer, having retired, came in to do an interview at Wimbledon last year and I asked him a question about the speech he'd given to the students at Dartmouth College. He talked there about his stats - of all the matches he'd won, actually how many points did he win? And it's much lower than you think it should be proportionally. Because, he said, what you have to learn is which are the key points? I think that's a good strategy to take into this. I don't have to win every point. You look at someone like Roger Federer; he was fiercely competitive. He really cared about winning, but he never quite made it look like he did. There was an elegance to him that I think is very hard to master.

Another piece of advice Sir Alex Ferguson gave me really early on in my career was 鈥榙on't let people rush you into a decision and don't undervalue yourself.鈥� I think the way that top level sports people respond to things going wrong is very educational. They don't let it stay with them. Things are going to go wrong in this. I'm going to mess up, I'm going to say something stupid, bound to, how do I not get myself dragged down in that? And part of what I do, certainly when I work, is I don't internalise much. I look out and I think that it helps me in a group.

Are you looking forward to the Missions?

Oh God, yeah! That's your chance to get a team together, working with the same aim. That side of the programme I'm all over. It's deception and the expelling of people that I'm not so comfortable with.

Do you think we might see a different side to you?

Well, it's interesting, not a different side from how I am in everyday life but how I am in everyday life is not how I am on telly, because I've got to be super charged on telly in my usual job. I have to be well researched, know the facts and be sort of seemingly in control the whole time. I'm not in control of this so I guess to the outside world, it will be a bit different.

Lucy Beaumont

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Well, I love the show. It's the best telly I've ever seen and I鈥檝e watched every series. You just get totally involved and it鈥檚 a really clever game.

What do you think you鈥檒l bring to the game?

I really don't know. You can imagine what you'd be like, but until I鈥檓 in it I just can鈥檛 say. People who know me have said I鈥檒l either be the worst person they've ever had on the show or I鈥檒l win it. Nothing in between.

Have you got a strategy?

No, I don't think game plans work. I鈥檝e seen people think they have a game plan but it always comes undone. I think it's just luck that they've said the right thing at the right time and were aligned with the right people. I don't have a plan for anything, I鈥檓 going to go with the flow.

Are you looking forward to the Missions? What might your strengths be in those?

No strengths! I'm not good at anything physical or logical. I will be carried during those and I鈥檒l try to look busy.

Have you done anything to prepare?

Just lying a lot, seeing how good I can lie.

Have you got away with any of it?

Yeah, people don鈥檛 know I鈥檓 here at the castle. They think I鈥檝e just popped down to the shops.

Do you want to be a Faithful or a Traitor?

I don鈥檛 mind which. I think there's a bit less pressure with being a Faithful, but then it'd be hard if people suspected you were a Traitor. If you are a Traitor, you can't really blame anyone for pointing the finger at you. All things considered, if I had to pick, I'd rather be a Traitor. I think it's more interesting. But I鈥檇 probably not be a very good one.

Would you say you鈥檙e good at reading people?

No. When I was a teenager, I was good at spotting 15-year-old boys that were lying but things have changed since then. I hope the skills might return in this game.

Have you got a good poker face yourself?

It depends on the situation. If I was a Traitor, I think I could convince myself that I was a Faithful and then I don't think it's so much like lying. If I could make myself genuinely believe that then I think that's what would get me through it.

As a comedian, do you think you might use some of the skills you've developed there on the other players? Diffuse a tense moment with your humour maybe?

Maybe that might help to an extent until it starts to annoy people. I think I am good at getting on with people so that's the only thing I can offer. It's a sort of fairly okay demeanour! I haven't got any type of plan and I doubt I鈥檒l contribute much to the missions so the only thing I've got going is that I'm moderately pleasant.

Do you think we're going to see a different side to you in this game?

I was thinking about going in speaking Welsh and pretending I鈥檝e actually been Welsh all this time. Sort of a reverse of Charlotte. You know, I've been pretending all this time that I鈥檓 not Welsh. Or I could be really posh. I have thought about that a bit, but I probably would only manage for the first hour. Really, there鈥檚 only one side to me.

Maybe you'll discover a new side. Maybe you'll be amazing at the missions...

This time next year I might be on Team GB. I might get really into archery or something. I don't know. Doesn't feel at all likely...

What do you think you鈥檒l enjoy most about the game?

I like the side of someone telling me what to do all the time. To the point I think I probably would be OK in prison, having no communication with the outside world. I think it's just lovely.

Paloma Faith

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I've never done something like this before, but I think it's an interesting game.

Have you got a game plan or a strategy?

I keep changing my mind, which is sort of what I'm like 鈥� adaptable! Sometimes I think my game plan is that I'm just going to be really honest, because there's no way that I can do anything else than genuinely be myself. My main concern is that when I've watched the show, I feel that the people who tend to get through to the end are the ones who have maybe been a little bit under the radar.

I'm in favour of having a voice of any kind, rather than sitting on the fence. I鈥檇 get rid of the boring ones!

Does that mean you鈥檝e decided you鈥檇 rather be a Traitor than a Faithful?

Oh, I鈥檇 still vote out boring people if I'm a Faithful. If I don't think someone is contributing much to our entertainment, I鈥檒l just exert my influence at the Round Table.

Would you say you're a competitive person?

I always say no to this question, and everyone who knows me says I am! I believe in doing the best you can, and I have high expectations for myself. I'm not somebody who gives up, but I don't have the desire to win. I think in my life, all the winning I've ever done has been like an alternative type of winning.

Are you looking forward to the Missions?

I am because I'm really physical. I work out four times a week and I was a trained dancer so the physical stuff I鈥檒l love. My mind's not great when it comes to maths. If there鈥檚 a Mission that involves a lot of logic count me out.

Have you done anything to prepare?

Got some great outfits! It鈥檒l be the first time that I've been on TV and self-styled. I can let loose and see if people like my actual style.

Would you say you're good at reading people? Can you spot a liar?

That's my worry. I'm exceptional at reading people, and I'm worried that I'll get voted off or murdered, because they'll see that in me. I need to keep it under the radar about how good at it I am. I'm at the point in my life where people don't even want to introduce me to their new boyfriend because they're worried I'll say I don't get good vibes from him.

Have you got a good poker face yourself?

No. Oh no. Really bad. I've sort of lied though, pretended if you like, because I've acted. I was Bet Sykes on Pennyworth, an actual murderer. I've stood in a courtroom and denied crimes, albeit for TV, so I can just take myself to that place and believe my own lie wholeheartedly.

I could do it, I just don't do that in real life, because I think morally it goes against what I'm like. This is a game and it's all fair in the game.

Do you think we might see a different side to you on the show?

I quite like murdering people! Haha. I might see a different side to myself. I think that I'm always very moral and on my high horse so I might be surprised if I do some backstabbing.

Niko Omilana

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Of all shows, I feel like it is almost made for me to be on a show like this. It's right up my street. The moment the opportunity came up I said yes, 100%

What are you going to bring to the game?

I hope I'm going to bring a different way of way of thinking. I'm experienced in playing games similar to this and this is as big as it gets, really. I think I'll try and spice it up a little, bring a little bit of sauce to the game. I'll bring up the vibes, maybe a bit of chaos, just as much as I can.

You鈥檝e dipped your toe into the world of politics, running for election and with some success so surely you have good powers of persuasion. Are we going to see those being used in the game?

I sold myself as the only honest politician a lot, so I'll hopefully play on that honesty in the game. I'm quite good at being persuasive so I'm hoping that I'll be able to use that for sure. Also, sitting back and observing, maybe stealing other people鈥檚 tactics, seeing where I might be able to manipulate.

Do you have a game plan or strategy?

Tricky to say in advance because if you're a Faithful the game plan is very different to the game plan for a Traitor. I've got things mapped out in my head, I have a game plan for both but that could completely change.

Which would you prefer 鈥� Traitor or Faithful?

I want to be a Traitor badly. If I was a Traitor, I would just go for chaos. I love chaos and that's why I love the show. I want to be planting seeds in people's heads, stirring the pot.

Are you a competitive person?

Very competitive. Anyone who knows me knows that I am so competitive. I always want to win so I'll do what it takes to win, but I just love it regardless. I love the game, even if I don't win. I don鈥檛 throw a tantrum! But I do fully commit and play to win.

What do your fellow Beta Squad members make of you doing this?

Everyone's really excited. They know me, so they know that this is literally right up my street.

Are you looking forward to the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?

I'm kind of looking forward to them. I'm sure there'll be cool stuff going on, they鈥檙e always super impressive. However, I'd say I'm more looking forward to the actual talking to people, opportunities to observe other players and their behaviour, how they take on the missions, the psychological side of things and what useful information I might pick up from that.

Would you say you're quite good at reading people?

Yes, I'd say I'm decent at reading people. I mean, everyone says that, and then in this show, it seems like they're always miles off!

Have you got a good poker face?

Yes, but it's because in my job, I have to be convincing. I lied to the leader of the KKK, telling him I was with the 蜜芽传媒. He believed me, so yes, I have to have to have a good poker face particularly when I鈥檓 in a high-risk situation like that.

Do you think people are going to be more wary of you in the game?

I'm going to be one of the younger people and I imagine most won't actually know what to expect from me at all. I can just say I was that guy who ran for Prime Minister in children's glasses, and I don鈥檛 think they鈥檒l have really delved into my content. I feel like you only really understand the way my mind works if you watch my content. If you look at it just on the surface, it just looks like stupid stuff. So that's what I鈥檓 hoping for, that I鈥檒l be underestimated.

Celia Imrie

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Well, it's the most talked about game on television, isn't it? And on both sides of the Atlantic, worldwide in fact. I just think it's such a clever invention. I'd love to meet the person who thought it up.

What will you bring to the game?

I think it's a very good thing to remain as open as possible, really. But you see people think I'm nice, which could be very useful.

Do you want to be a Traitor or a Faithful?

The thing is, I don't really mind, but if Claudia's hand goes on my shoulder, I'll be ecstatic with excitement. However, I do think it's quite a hard job.

Have you got a good poker face?

I suppose, being an actor, you do spend your life pretending to be somebody else, so that's quite an advantage. But it is also a horror, because you haven't got a character to hide behind, and so it is the same as being on a chat show, you just have to be yourself which is oddly quite a difficult thing to present without seeming to be affected or unreal. It is quite exposing to just be yourself.

You are in the Thursday Murder Club, has that given you a taste for mystery and might it perhaps be good research for taking on this game?

In a strange sort of way, yes.

How do you feel about the Missions?

I鈥檓 quite nervous about them. I watched a bit of the first series where people were upside down on one of those wheels. I really couldn't! And it's a weird thing, because I used to love fairground rides when I was younger, but not now. That would give me the absolute heebie jeebies. I wouldn't want to be a bad sport, but I really wouldn't want to do that. I鈥檓 not mad about heights.

Did you have anybody that stood out to you from previous series that you thought they're a great player?

The young soldier boy, Harry. I was so on his side all the way through, and then I thought he was a wretch at the end!

Are you good at reading people, would you say? Can you spot a liar?

Yes, but I've got to have time. I don't think it's an instant thing. I want to give myself time to scrutinise their body language.

Do you think we might see a different side to you in this?

Yes, quite possibly. I have a naughty streak that I find hard to suppress.

Well, we don't ever see you just being yourself..

In my autobiography I say that actresses are likened to Victorian young girls sitting round a ballroom on their gilt chairs waiting to be asked to dance. And that's how our life is. We all have to wait for the part to come along. Yes, I could play Hedda Gabler in my attic but there's nobody to tell me how good I am. If I was Van Gogh, I could create a painting in the middle of the night, I wouldn鈥檛 need an audience.

The only thing I have tried to do in terms of control in my career is to attempt to try and do something as different to the last thing so as not to be pigeonholed. And this, to be a player of The Traitors, is as different to anything else I have ever done.

Stephen Fry

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I genuinely don't know. It's a complete mystery to me. I think it was probably because I've done so many things in my life that almost anything I get asked to do, I've done something like it. With this, I've never done anything like it before. I just thought it would be a new experience. Everybody kept telling me it was a very good show and it sounded interesting. I watched and I had to agree, I did think it was very good.

Do you like playing games? And would you say you鈥檙e competitive?

If I do play a game, I like to play it well. I like to see everybody playing it well. I get annoyed if people don't really throw themselves into it. As for being competitive, I didn't think so. I don't mind losing at all, but I like playing the game well. If I鈥檓 beaten because I鈥檝e been fairly outplayed then I'm very happy, whatever the game might be.

Would you like to be a Traitor or a Faithful?

Oh, a Faithful! I just don't like the idea of having to plot against people. It's mean and it's annoying to have to find that side of oneself, because in order to play well, you have to be a bit mean. You have to decide to kill people. Really annoying. You're conspiring with others to do it, and you can't trust them either. So, you're just under much more pressure. You can see from the previous series that being a Traitor is really quite stressful.

Are you looking forward to the Missions?

It's very hard to say. Some of them may be tedious like being back at school, forced into compulsory physical education. It will be interesting to see if we can work together. I'm sure we'll get very excited if we manage to accomplish something. There are players who are strong and sporty, who will be good at strong sporty things, and then those of us who are less strong and sporty will have to try and hope that we can use our wits in some way.

Have you done anything to prepare?

No, what can one do? Watching every previous episode wouldn鈥檛 help because the people are different. It's not about the thing; it's about the people with this game.

Would you say you're good at reading people? Will you be able to spot a liar?

No, absolutely not. Nobody else will either. The idea that you can be good at reading people is absolute nonsense, and it's just like astrology or anything else. Woo woo. You just can't do it. You know, empiricism proves it. People time and time again ask those whose job it is to interrogate and to find out the truth and it鈥檚 simply not possible.

We can all be convinced nonetheless, even though the facts tell us otherwise. These notions of I just knew, it鈥檚 the way he lifted his glass, his eye doing that thing 鈥� all nonsense.

Do you have a good poker face?

Yes, I mean a reasonable poker face but that doesn't mean anything. Some people look as if they're lying when they tell the truth and look as if they're telling the truth and they're lying. So, it doesn't really matter. I think the only thing you can go by is when someone makes a mistake, they make a slip, or they themselves at the Round Table choose to get rid of people and they鈥檙e spot on in their choice.

That seems mysterious. The only reason you can think why they would want to get rid of them is because they have some treacherous reason, but that's about it. Try to use reason a bit because instinct is no good.

Do you think acting skills can play a part in how you play the game?

The fact that I've acted in films and on stage and in small screen, big screen and so on, and we have others who have acted, people think, oh, they're actors, therefore they're better liars. Actors are terrible liars! It's not an actor's job to lie. It's an actor's job to tell the truth. So, there's that side of it, and there are those who are in the sporting arena, and they're known for their competitiveness. You can't succeed in sport unless you have a drive that is way beyond that of a normal person.

So those are kind of two interesting elements. I don't know what they鈥檝e got in mind for us, but they've obviously considered all of this and will find fun ways of torturing us over the next few weeks. We'd better get used to it, I suppose!

Nick Mohammed

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I decided to take part because I absolutely adore the show, and always have done. This is the first thing I've ever done as myself. I did Taskmaster, which was sort of as me, but even that, I decided to dress as Dracula because I wanted to hide behind something. Because I like to act, often in character, I tend not to do as much as myself to sort of preserve an element of mystery, I guess. But there was no way I was going to give up an opportunity like this! I've always loved games like this and to hang out with such a wonderful, fascinating bunch too - what a privilege.

So, your character Mr. Swallow won't be making an appearance?

Sadly, I think Nick Mohammed was booked rather than Mr. Swallow. But also, can you imagine how irritating that would be, not just for the people taking part, but for the nation?! I mean, I'm not saying I won't slip into Mr. Swallow at some point, but no, that would have been too much.

That said, your acting skills may come into play in playing the game...

The idea of keeping up a pretense for that long is interesting but I don't know if it's even really possible. It would be too exhausting, surely.

Well, there鈥檚 always potential learnings from your work be that from a spell at GCHQ for your show Intelligence or giving a rousing team talk in Ted Lasso...

Maybe that would be good at the Round Table. A sort of Gladiator-style motivational speech. I don't know though, you don't want to draw too much attention to yourself or make yourself a target. There's an element of wanting to blend into the background a little bit, whilst not being too much of a wallflower. Otherwise, people will think you're deliberately hiding. I don't know if I'd want to do anything too overconfident, because it鈥檚 like when Kas did a toast to the first person who went and then was immediately suspected as being a Traitor. He was clearly a lovely, lovely guy, I just don鈥檛 want to fall into the same trap.

It's a fine line to tread. In the first instance, it's just statistics. It's just random so never worth taking too personally or seriously in the first instance. But then little cliques and certain personalities will start to emerge and various connections made, I'm sure.

Have you got a strategy?

Not really. I think I鈥檒l just try and be quite easy breezy in the first instance. Because, you know, people are going to go right from the off. A little further down the line you can maybe start considering strategy 鈥� and it also depends on whether I鈥檓 made a Traitor or a Faithful. There鈥檚 a certain thrill of being made a Traitor, of course. If I'm a Faithful, I'll have that constant worry each night whether I鈥檒l be murdered. You can of course be discovered and banished as a Traitor, but I feel that in the first instance, you're in a little bit more control. So, I would enjoy that element to a degree and I'd love to make the final. That said, I've got lovely family at home, so it's sort of a win, win. When my time is up, I get to go back home and see them!

Have you done anything to prepare?

Not really. I've shaved this morning. I鈥檝e thought about it a lot. It was strange watching series three, knowing I was going to be doing it in a few months鈥� time. That was really interesting watching that and seeing how they played but it's always different with a different group of people so you can鈥檛 compare or copy what previous players have done. I had a couple of dreams about it. One was that I had to do the whole thing in an American accent! That was possibly me remembering Charlotte and her faked Welsh accent.

Would you say that you're good at reading people?

Well, I think I can smell bullshit, but I think there is a difference. I think someone lying specifically about whether they're a Traitor or not is a very different thing because it's quite abstract. It's an intangible quality at the start. In reality, it doesn't matter. You've not earned it. You've been selected. And some people might be amazing at it. That's the thrill of it, I guess, and that's why we're all here.

Do you think you've got a good poker face?

Well, no, I don't. My problem is I do find things very funny, and a lot of people who I've worked with will testify that I do often get the giggles. My biggest worry is the moment when the blindfolds are taken off at the start. Because irrespective of whether I鈥檝e been made a Traitor or a Faithful, I鈥檒l struggle not to smile. So that is a real, genuine worry.

Are you looking forward to the Missions?

Loads! I love all of that. And how camp the whole show is, the kind of gothic, Wicker Man vibe that they have. Yeah, can't wait for that.

Cat Burns

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

It鈥檚 just one of those opportunities and situations that just never really happens, a once in a lifetime offer really. And I have always been really intrigued to see if I would, one, be able to work out who the Traitors are, and two, if I was a Traitor, if I would be able to keep up the mystery of it. 

This is rather different to your usual world as a musician, how are you feeling as you go into the game?

I'm actually quite excited. I think it's going to be fun to meet everyone and just talk to people. With so many players in the game with so many different backgrounds and varied life experiences, it鈥檚 going to be really fun and fascinating. I'm just excited to get out of my world and step into this one. It feels like we鈥檒l be a group of big kids going and playing a big game.

Do you like games generally? Or tend to be competitive?

I do but I'm not really that competitive. Some people are very intense when they play Monopoly and stuff. I don't have a competitive bone in my body. I'm just there for the fun of it really,

Do you want to be a Traitor or a Faithful?

I've said to myself, I鈥檒l leave it up to the universe and whatever I'm meant to be is what I'll be. If I feel Claudia tap my shoulder, then that's what it's meant to be. 

Have you got a strategy?

My strategy, if I am a Traitor, would be to just try and go under the radar, not draw too much attention to myself, but also give out names of people who I think could be Traitors. I think you run a risk if you don't say anybody's name at all of arousing suspicion. If I am a Faithful, I think I will just try and observe without looking weird, because I'm a massive observer. I stare at people anyway, so I鈥檇 need to figure out a way to stare at people when they don't know that I'm staring at them! I think that would be my best way of working out what game a person might be playing, observing people's mannerisms and stuff, try to suss out whether they're a bit nervous or they're up to something!

How are you feeling about the Missions?

I'm excited to do them. I'm excited to see how strong my mental strength is because I'm quite physically fit, but my mental strength can be what lets me down. I want to see if I can push myself, be mind over matter in a sense with that strength in belief, to be able to do some of the more physical types of challenges. I鈥檓 really interested to see how I do.

Have you done anything to prepare?

I've just been in the gym, working on my general stamina and strength.

Would you say you're a good reader of people?

I would say, so, yeah. I think I'm good at reading people, but that comes from just being an observer. And I think being neurodivergent I have a tendency to have that approach in social situations, watching people more than speaking.

Have you got a good poker face?

I don't know, because I giggle. I giggle when I'm nervous, so I could giggle because I'm nervous about being a Faithful or I could giggle about being a Traitor. I need to not giggle! If I don't giggle, I'll be fine.

Do you think we might see a different side to you in the game?

I think people will just get to know me a bit more. I think my songs are very soul bearing and very emotional and there鈥檚 a vulnerability to them in that regard. But most people who know me personally know that I'm the least serious person ever. I laugh before I cry. I think people will see that side to me; the lighter side that doesn't take things too seriously and is here for fun.

Joe Marler

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I'm a massive fanboy of The Traitors. Ever since getting the call I鈥檝e been giddy because I want to play the game that I love the most. I want to be part of it, and I want to know how it all works. I鈥檓 living out my dreams,

Clearly, you鈥檝e watched all previous series...

Oh yes and re-watching it all. Revising ready for the final exam! I can't wait and I love meeting different people.

Well, you do that with your podcast, don't you? We really get an insight there into your fascination with people and finding out more about their worlds...

Yes, totally fascinated with the jobs and things people do and that extends to celebrities as well, although people might know them for what they do, I still want to dig a little bit deeper. Where are you from? What do you do? What can I find out? Yeah, people fascinate me. And with this game I wonder, is it psychological warfare? That's where you see, the best and potentially the worst in people, because they panic. 

Would you say you're quite good at reading people and spotting a liar?

No, I don't think I am good at reading people, but I would say I'm good at asking people the right question. If I do have a sense, I wouldn't trust my gut because my gut鈥檚 not always right! I鈥檒l lfeel comfortable calling people out if I have an idea though. I like awkward conversations. Awkwardness is sort of my favourite. I think you can find the most out of people when they鈥檙e put into an awkward situation, pack them into a corner and see what happens. You find the real person, how they deal with it.

What's your poker face like?

Awful. Remember Linda last series? I just picture me going wink, wink, yep, giggling at the mention of Traitors.

Do you want to be a Traitor or a Faithful?

I'd like to be a Traitor because I suspect I'm one of the lesser-known characters in the game, and I'm hoping that as a Traitor, I could then use that lack of celebrity to my advantage.

Have you got a strategy?

My strategy, if I'm a Traitor, is to play dumb and friendly. Big, cuddly, friendly guy. I'm just really happy to be here. How much fun is this? Oh, my God! How nice is the castle! Have you tried the food? Yeah, the food here is incredible. Yeah, that sort of attitude. Little do they know that I'm plotting to murder them secretly.

Seems a silly question to ask of a sportsman, but are you a competitive person?

I'm here to win it. As much as I love the show, I'm not here to just be like, what a great experience. I might think that after, grateful to have played whatever part I had in it. But as soon as that game begins, my game face is on.

Are you looking forward to the missions?

I am actually, yeah, I never used to pay as much attention to the missions, but you find out so much more about people and you can really tap into that. Also, if you work hard you make yourself indispensable. You have the teamwork element and bond. And you want to bump up that prize money as much as we can. And I think if you do that, it can work in your favour. If you are a Traitor, you stay hidden. As a Faithful you can build trust in people more and more, because you鈥檙e willing to put in the work for the team.

Do you think we might see a different side to you in this game?

I have no idea which one of me is going to come out in this game because I don't know what it's going to do to me! I think, as a fan, you have ideas - we could play it like that and do it like this. Then when I鈥檓 actually in the castle and in amongst all these well-known celebrities, which Joe is going to come out? I just don鈥檛 know but I鈥檓 looking forward to finding out.

Alan Carr

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Well, I鈥檓 a huge fan of The Traitors. It was a no brainer. As soon as I was asked, I didn't even mull it over. I just said, I want to do it. The only other thing I've done is The Apprentice. I was addicted to The Apprentice, and I said the same with that opportunity when it came along. There's just such an air of mystery about The Traitors. And it really is iconic now, isn't it? Claudia's iconic, the castle's iconic, and the show is so it's just nice to be part of something iconic! 

I got the same feeling when I did RuPaul's Drag Race. That has the same air of mystery and secrecy about it. I remember going through the double doors and seeing the Drag Race set. It was like visiting the Taj Mahal or the Leaning Tower of Pisa. So, I haven't seen the castle yet, but I think I'm going to get the same buzz. It's almost a character itself. I was saying to someone, it's a bit like New York in Sex and The City. The fifth character and you can't really imagine it being anywhere else.  The Traitors鈥� castle is the epitome of grandeur.

Do you have a strategy going into this?

Well people have asked, would you like to be a Traitor? And the answer is, I don't know. I'm fascinated to know how I would cope with it if I was. I'm not known for my poker face, but you've just got to adapt. I'm indecisive, and that's the problem. But I think that's probably good because I鈥檇 say it鈥檚 best to have an open mind. If I'm a Traitor, I鈥檒l try to murder as many people as possible. If I'm a Faithful, I'll try and catch those Traitors. Whichever side, I think you can鈥檛 help but get sucked in. It becomes your world and that's the part that I'm quite looking forward to, the routine of it and just being fully immersed in it.

What about reading other people's faces? Are you good at that?

I'd like to think I'm quite good at spotting a liar, but it depends on how good they are. And then these are celebrities. They're sociopaths! I would not trust a celebrity as far as I could throw them!

What about the missions? Are you looking forward to those?

No! Thinking back over other series there was that one where they were pushing the barrels, I think that was the first one. I mean, I really don't want to be pushing a barrel, but do you know what? Maybe the stress of being in the castle, I can imagine it being nice to get out in the fresh air and gorgeous countryside.

Would you say you're a competitive person?

I say I'm not, but I can be when I get involved in things and I want to make an impact.

Are we going to see a different side to you in the game?

There will be a different side to me. I鈥檒l have to adapt; no comedy, it's one of those shows where you have to shape shift. You have to chat to people you wouldn't normally chat with just to see if they are hiding anything. I don't think it's a case of how good you are at being a Traitor or a Faithful. It's how you adapt and how you draw on your social skills. I鈥檝e worked in a call centre where I had to deal with one thing after another, so I think my call centre skills are going to come in handy!

What would winning mean to you?

It would be a miracle! I'd say I'd like to win, because I'd like to just wipe the smirk off some of my friends鈥� faces! They said, Alan, you are going to go home first. I think my agent鈥檚 actually booked things in for the second week and he鈥檚 said to keep the engine running!

It would be incredible to come out that castle as a winner, not only to prove to my friends but to prove I can do it to myself.

Charlotte Church

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Well, I don't watch much telly, but I have watched The Traitors and I think that it's a really interesting game. And I love the outdoors, so I really wanted to come and visit the castle and play in the Scottish Highlands. It's a challenge, particularly when you get into the Missions and such. I also run a retreat centre in mid Wales, and I host groups of people going through, sometimes quite emotional, transformational experiences. I always think it really broadens the mind to be amongst a group of interesting people with different perspectives so I鈥檓 looking forward to that here. It鈥檚 just a very unusual thing to do with your time so why ever not?!

It sounds like you鈥檙e looking forward to the Missions...

Absolutely. I鈥檓 looking forward to testing my intuitive skills which are such an important aspect of what it is to be a human being. Part of what I've been working on in myself for the last couple of years is focusing on nurturing myself, and being back in my body, rather than constantly in the mind.  Hopefully, that makes you much more sensitive to your environment. And, of course, the environment includes other humans. I'm just really fascinated to see how it all pans out.

Would you say that you're good at reading other people?

I think that I'm a very intuitive person and I think that often people get lost in logic and only using the mind when there鈥檚 so much more to draw upon when taking in the world around you. I haven't got any strategy. I haven't got any game plan. I'm going to read the field, moment by moment and be present. If you're able to stay present and be really open to your sensory portals - your ears, your eyes, even your spidey senses, then I think that you're able to be much more present.

What I've noticed in watching the show before is that group dynamic comes in and people tend to get really swayed by things. It's quite surprising how people will be at the round table. They'll go for the easiest option because they don't want to hurt people's feelings. I'm hoping that I can remain sort of sovereign, not like an outsider because I'm very much a pack animal but I want to be strong in my views.

Would you like to be a Faithful or a Traitor?

I am really hoping to be a Faithful. I really don鈥檛 want to be a Traitor. Certainly not at the beginning. It depends what happens in the game but I think that I'm a Faithful through and through. I think it's because I don't like the idea of deception or lying. I don't think I'm very good at it and I just think I would enjoy the game a whole lot more. So, I am hoping to be a Faithful, and then I think I'm going to be able to have a lot more enjoyment and fun. There's too much cortisol in the world already. I do not want to be adding that to myself.

Have you got a good poker face yourself?

I don't think so. No, I think I run clear. Really, I'm a very open book.

Would you say you鈥檙e competitive?

I am and I am super cooperative. I think that in the evolutionary scale of things, cooperation is far more worthy than competition. However, the roots of the word competition is competere, which means to strive together. I'm interested in succeeding but in a collaborative way. I think that cooperation is, for me, the way that things work best.

Are we going to see a different side to you in this show?

I鈥檓 not sure. I don't really do much telly. I keep myself to myself, I've got my beautiful life in Wales, that I love, a lot of it is centred around healing and nature, connection and helping people. I've also got three kids, so I'm a busy mum, so I don't know if people will see a different side, but they are going to see the real me.

Joe Wilkinson

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Big fan of the show and just because it's a big game and for the experience. I turned 50, and I thought I'd like to do some weirder stuff.

Didn鈥檛 you encourage Paul Gorton to sign up to series two?

We did. Paul came on our podcast, Chatabix. We had him on to talk about being on Deal or No Deal. And I'd got into the first series of The Traitors and we were talking about it, about how he should go for it. He did enter, amazingly got on and the world got Paul Gortoned.

Do you want to be a Traitor, or do you want to be a Faithful?

When the show was first out, I always said I wanted to be a Faithful because I thought it would be too stressful to be a Traitor. Now I鈥檓 here I鈥檓 kind of thinking 鈥榠n for a penny鈥�. So, I don't know and I think I'll only know how I鈥檒l feel if I get the tap on my shoulder or not. I think a bit of all of us will be like that鈥檚 a blessed relief if we鈥檙e not chosen. That said, I would like to see the turret.

What will you bring to the game?

I'll be there every day. I'll be punctual. I'll be washed and have cleaned my teeth. Anything else, I don't know. I think that's reasonable; clean. That鈥檚 all I can guarantee.

Any strategy?

I haven't got a plan. No, I don't think I've got the brain for it.

Well, perhaps good to not be so fixed and able to pivot and adapt..?

I won't be able to pivot either. I mean, I'm just in the slow lane. I'm just going to do my absolute best to chuck myself into it. That鈥檚 what I'm going to do.

 What can we expect from you in the missions?

Oh, God, the missions! I like being outdoors so that's a good start. That's on my side. I'm quite outdoorsy. I'm going to be wearing shorts, and I'll give it a whirl. I'm not going to be the fittest. Obviously, I'm not going to be the strongest. I'm hoping to fall in the middle. Generally, that's my rule of thumb. Fall in the middle.

Have you done anything to prepare?

I had to buy a load of new clothes. I needed to look a bit smarter. I've got lots of new jumpers.

Would you say you're good at reading people?

No, I can鈥檛 spot a liar. I'm very trusting. There's a good chance I might think there are no Traitors at all.

Have you got a good poker face?

No. I'm sort of worried I'll say something stupid and make myself look guilty. That's rattling around in my head.

Is the beard helpful with a poker face though?

All in the eyes, isn鈥檛 it? I don鈥檛 think the beard will help me. The beard has never been an advantage.

Do you want to win?

I'd like to not come in the bottom two. Oh God that might happen. I think that might happen.

Do you think we'll see a different side to you in the game?

Honestly, I don't know how I'm going to react in there, in the moment. I haven't planned or predicted anything. That鈥檚 either masterful or idiotic. I鈥檒l take it step by step and see how I do.

Jonathan Ross

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Love the show. Watch the show all the time. I've watched all the versions around the world, and I love playing games. I鈥檝e always wondered what it would be like to be in the castle. It鈥檚 one of those experiences that money can't buy to actually be in The Traitors after you鈥檝e watched it so many times. Because, of course, we all watch it at home and love it at home, and I'm really fascinated to find out how it feels to be right in the middle of the action. Also, because I don't trust any celebrities, I think I'm going to immediately assume they're all Traitors. 

You鈥檝e interviewed so many celebrities throughout your career, they might be wary that you鈥檒l be a master at getting information from them...

Well, if they've seen my interviews, they'll know that isn't the case! I do think it's going to be interesting. I think it will be almost impossible. The big difference between The Celebrity Traitors and The Traitors is we do have some conception, or preconception of the people in it with us. If only because we know that they've achieved quite a lot in their chosen field. I think it's going to be very hard for us to not have that impact in some way on our decisions. It's going to be fascinating to see whether we can overcome our initial preconceptions of people and just try and evaluate them in the moment. 

Do you want to be a Traitor or a Faithful?

To be honest, I don't really mind but I would like to have the full experience of this game. It'd be great to be both, which would mean starting as a Faithful and then surviving long enough to maybe get seduced. But bearing in mind the odds of that happening, there are lots of variables there, so maybe it'd be better just to start as a Traitor. I think being a Traitor is probably more fun.

You鈥檇 probably feel like you got a bit more control over the game.

You definitely have got a bit more control, if only because you get the chance to murder as opposed to just hoping you survive long enough to guess who is doing the murdering. Faithfuls are very triumphant when they鈥檝e got one out, but of course you never know when the Traitors might decide to recruit again.

Are you a competitive person?

I don't think so. I mean, I don't like losing things particularly, but I don't mind. When I play tennis with my friends, I enjoy the game more than the result. If I don't win, I've still had a nice time.

Have you got a strategy?

Not really, not an overriding one, because it's difficult not knowing what you are at the moment and not knowing who everyone else is. If you鈥檙e a Traitor, you're going to have to adapt whatever strategy you think you might have based on who the other Traitors are. And if you're Faithful, you're going to have to permanently be adapting. I imagine it'd be a bit like juggling kittens, because, you know, you've got all these other people with all their different personality quirks. From having watched the game, it's a very difficult thing to play, because you can't be too quiet, you can't be too loud, you can't be too forceful but you can't be too shy with your opinions. So, you've kind of got to try and occupy that middle ground where you listen to others and support others and back up other ideas. You'll bring a few ideas of your own to the table, but don't make too much noise about it, so that you don't get a target on your back from one side or the other.

What about the Missions? Are you looking forward to those?

Well, yes, and no. I think they might be fun. But seeing as we don't know what they've got in store for us, they could be awful! The fact they've already kitted us out with some steel toe capped boots is a little bit worrying. So, I don't know what's going on. There is an element and what I think is going to be quite interesting as well, hopefully for the viewers, is to see all of us a little bit out of our normal comfort zone, in that normally we're doing shows where we know exactly what we're letting ourselves in for and here we don鈥檛. You absolutely have to let go and go with the flow.

Do you think we're going to see a different side to you in this show?

You might see a different side because I think, when we watch TV, you see a version of a person.  You see a kind of amplified version of that person, and an amplified version of parts of that person's personality. I'm relatively happy in real life. I'm happy not to be the centre of attention, and I'm quite happy not to be the most vocal one. I've learned as you get older, you get more relaxed about stuff, so you don't feel like, oh, I better say something. I'm quite happy listening to people and just being there. So hopefully people will see a slightly gentler side to me.

What would winning mean to you?

Well, that it means everything good for charity, it will therefore mean a lot to me.

It would also just be lovely to be the best of all the celebrities. I've long suspected that might be true of me, but weirdly, the rest of the world doesn't agree. So, let's see if we can settle this once and for all!

Tom Daley

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I've watched the show forever, all the different franchises; UK, US, New Zealand, Australia, you name it. I am a huge fan, as are my friends and family. So, when the opportunity came up I immediately thought this could be so much fun. We play the game, sometimes at games nights, like different versions of it so I cannot wait to be fully immersed. That and the fact it鈥檚 for charity is really special.

What are you going to bring to the game? Are you going in with a strategy?

I'm trying not to go in with too much of a strategy, because I think then you have too much pressure to hold yourself to that. I'm going to go with the flow and deal with each situation as it arises.

Do you want to be a Traitor or a Faithful?

I feel like being a Traitor gives you the full experience of the game, but I think I could do both roles quite well so I would be happy with either. 

Maybe a ridiculous question for an Olympian, but are you a competitive person? 

Very competitive. Oh, I want to win. That's the whole point of the game. I'm there to have fun, but at the same time I want to do well. I鈥檓 spending this time away from my family so I鈥檓 fully putting myself into it and I want to do them proud.

Are you looking forward to the Missions?

I'm excited to take part in them myself. I think with this particular version of The Traitors, it鈥檚 all about raising as much money as possible for charity. 

The Missions are so epic, and then the way that some Missions can be vital for the rest of the game, such as the opportunity to win shields, adds a fun extra element.

And at the end of day will you be knitting to unwind? 

Yes, absolutely every day I'll be knitting. I've got a whole suitcase full of wool!

Are you good at reading people? Can you spot a liar?

I'd like to think so, but I'm also incredibly trusting of people. I hate conflict and I'm not very good at standing up for myself in that way. I'm a chronic people pleaser, so I don't know how that's going to be when I go into a situation like this. 

Have you got a good poker face?

Whenever I've played the game with my friends, whenever I've been a Faithful they've always thought I was a Traitor. And when I was a Traitor, they always thought I was Faithful! So, I just don't know. When I get put under pressure, I get hot which might be a tell...we'll have to see.

Do you think we might see a different side to you?

I think so. People always see the athlete Tom, and this is still a competition. That aside, I'm excited about meeting some new people.

Kate Garraway

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors? 

I heard the rumours of people taking part and I just thought, what an incredible experience to spend time with all those wonderful people as well as playing a really fascinating game.

What will you bring to the game? Do you have a strategy?

Not at all! I don't know whether going in with a strategy works. I鈥檝e seen people try it in previous series and I think it can backfire. If I鈥檝e got any strategy at all it鈥檚 to just go for it, enjoy every moment and make the most of the experience. When I watch it at home the mischievous part of me loves the idea of being a Traitor, especially as I don鈥檛 think anyone would suspect me, but the truth is that I'm dreadful at lying.

I just know I couldn鈥檛 look someone in the eye at the Round Table and bare faced lie. I鈥檓 the sort of person who looks really guilty walking through customs even though I've got nothing to hide. So, I think I鈥檒l probably be better as a Faithful as then I can just tell the truth. If I am a Traitor though, of course I'll give it my all. 

Are you good at spotting a liar?

Well, I think I am. I can definitely tell when someone is hiding something when I鈥檓 interviewing them in my job. The Traitors is a fascinating game where even honest people revel in the idea of playing their fantasy self and of course there are some brilliant actors in there too. But also, because I鈥檓 so excited to meet such fabulous and famous people I may be fan-girling so much I won鈥檛 be able to step back and properly assess the situation like I do in 鈥渨ork mode鈥�! 

How is your poker face? 

Well, I'm quite good at cards and I always win at Cluedo so read into that what you will!!!

How are you feeling about the Missions?

I鈥檓 a bit nervous about that. They're quite hardcore, aren't they? We鈥檒l have to see what鈥檚 in store. I don鈥檛 know if I鈥檒l have the skills or bravery required but I鈥檓 ready to throw myself into everything and do my best for the team with bucket loads of enthusiasm. 

Have you done anything to prepare?

I hope I'm ready for it. For the missions I suspect it鈥檒l be a bit like school PE lessons, and I probably won鈥檛 get picked first for the athletic stuff but unlike school you can鈥檛 get your mum to write a note to get you out of it! 

I鈥檓 a massive fan of the show and I've watched all the series. When I knew I was taking part I started to watch it all again and I saw it with a different eye. Then I started to get pretty nervous as it can get really brutal at the Round Table can鈥檛 it, so I just decided not to over analyse and go for it. Also, I love Claudia and have worked with her on other projects, so just know she will have me in fits of giggles and be so supportive of everyone - so that should get us through.  

I鈥檝e been through so many challenges over the last five years, I鈥檝e faced a lot of actual life and death moments, and I鈥檝e done a lot of crying over all that鈥檚 happened to our family. It鈥檚 all been so serious. So, this feels like a chance to have fun and make a little mischief playing in what I genuinely believe is the best game on TV.  

What would winning mean to you? 

Oh, it would be lovely, wouldn't it. Of course, it would be wonderful for the charities as well because they could do so much good with the prize pot. But to be honest I鈥檓 not even thinking about winning at the moment, it would just be great to stay in long enough to get the full Traitors experience.

Mark Bonnar

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I was thrilled to be asked to be honest with you. I'm a fan of the show. It's one of the few things that we watch as a family. It鈥檚 put together very well, and it's proved itself, in its popularity. I thought it'd be really exciting to be a part of the first celebrity version - an interesting challenge! If anything comes my way that scares me, I try to make sure I do it, and this is way out my comfort zone!

Well, I suppose every time we see you, you're playing a role, but this is just going to be you being you. So that must feel quite strange...

It does feel strange, yes. I mean, I鈥檓 myself in interviews etc but here, I guess because of the pressure, I鈥檒l have to be prepared to be boring or grumpy or whatever and remove all the smoke and mirrors that make me seem really fun and interesting! Haha..

Will you bring your acting skills into this?

I think I'll bring my people skills into it. I don't know if I'll bring my acting skills. Well, I might have to...who knows? I think what I have is a good ear, I'm good at listening to people, I'm friendly, I'm personable, I'm fairly perceptive. I like to think that I can sense when something's not quite right and I think I'm a good team player as well. I love being part of a group of people achieving something together - that鈥檚 essentially what my job is.

Are you quite excited by the Missions then? 

Oh aye, that's what I鈥檓 most excited about! I can鈥檛 imagine anything better than running around in a forest trying to solve puzzles..It鈥檚 the rest of the game that I worry about.. I've got a terrible memory. I'm worried that I'm going to forget a lot or not catch some things. That means I have to work hard on not being gullible if evil masterminds try to sway me! I鈥檓 hoping it'll be fun.

Do you enjoy playing games? And are you competitive? 

I love playing games and yes, I am hugely competitive. Also, if I'm falsely accused of something, that really rankles me. I don't like injustice. I like to think I'm quite calm with good morals. Maybe not always law abiding but good morals!

You've played characters that are on both sides of the law...

I'm always playing characters that are kind of compromised or faulted in some way - they鈥檙e the most fun to play. We are all compromised or faulted in some way! They're the most interesting characters - the most human.

Have you learned anything from any character that might resurface in this game?

How not to behave in society! We鈥檙e going to be in a situation that is kind of structured in a way to make you mistrustful of each other. I'm just going to have to trust people if I'm a Faithful, and if I'm a Traitor, I'm just going to have to convince people I'm trustworthy. 

Which do you want to be? 

I think I want to be a Faithful. It's already difficult enough for my wee brain. I think that the added pressure of being a Traitor, just keeping that facade up the whole time, would be incredibly exhausting and quite stressful. I want to have fun. 

Would you say you're good at reading people?

I think so. I guess you鈥檝e just got to see how people play the game. We鈥檒l meet each other for a very short time before the Traitors are chosen. It must then be incredibly difficult to try and read any changes, but that鈥檚 the name of the game I suppose! 

The bottom line is that all of the people in that castle are good at performing under pressure.. be that in sports or presenting or stand-up... time will tell how good!

Tameka Empson

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I have absolutely no idea! Seriously, I liked watching The Traitors. I got into it really late. I was doing a show at the time, and the director and other actors were all telling me 鈥榶ou have to watch this!鈥� And I was a bit, like, ooh sounds a bit medieval this! All the killing; the murders. Sounded dark. I watched... it was series two. Well, once I started I watched episode after episode. Hooked. Loved it.

What are you going to bring to the game?

I think I'll bring a little bit of joy. I鈥檓 a little nervous. I don鈥檛 know what to expect because it鈥檚 so different every time.

We鈥檙e used to you making us laugh, can we expect lots of laughs from you?

I don't know, maybe. I have no idea. I'd like to think that I'm a good game player too. I'm just going to live in the moment, do my best. If I can bring some lightness and laughs I will but I will focus when I need to. 

Would you rather be a Faithful or a Traitor?

Well, if I am chosen to be a Traitor, I like to think that I'm the one that people would least expect. That said, I think it might be a bit stressful. So maybe I should be a Faithful. Oh, I just don鈥檛 know! I think I鈥檇 be a good Traitor though.

Are you a competitive person?

Well, I鈥檓 not going out first! I hope Claudia is good at improvisation, because I am not going out first. I just won't go. I will just refuse. It鈥檚 going to be different. Yeah, sorry everyone but I鈥檓 staying. How about that plot twist?!

Have you got a strategy?

Yes, be a Traitor! The killer that people least expect. Kill everyone with fun and laughter, keeping it upbeat, keeping it loose and make people feel comfortable.

Have you got a good poker face?

I think so but then I get nervous, and I laugh. That鈥檚 the thing.I don't know if that's going to be interpreted the wrong way. 

Are you good at reading other people?

I think so. Literally, just before I got here, I could feel that a friend of mine was trying to trick me somehow. And then I noticed the little twitch of the eye. Oh, hello! That's a tell, isn't it? Like a little twitch of the eyes. So, I will be looking at body language. I'll be trying to notice and remember what people are saying without using words.

Have you done anything to prepare?

All I've done is sleep, and I want to sleep some more so that when I'm there, I'm wide awake and alert. 

How do you feel about doing the Missions?

I am dreading the Missions, if I'm honest. I'm not sporty. I don't like mud and all of that. I don't like to be uncomfortable in the deep sea and all of that. I don't, I don't, I don't!

Well not all Missions are sporty...

Oh yeah, the dolls! And the clowns... I鈥檓 not a fan of clowns. I mean, I don't find them funny and they were quite sinister ones. Yeah, I'm bracing myself. I'm in it to win it, BUT if I can get other people to help me with it, even better.

So, be a Traitor, be a bit of a leader, oversee and set roles?

That鈥檚 what I'm saying! I think I'd be really good at that. And because of my height, I cannot dive into the water! 

Sounds like you might channel your EastEnders character and exert your 鈥楰im-fluence鈥� on the group!

Ha! I am a fan of Kim. I'm a fan. Oh, maybe I will dip into the Kim from Instagram. I will try and dip into her, see if I can influence here and there. I think the guys are the ones to look out for. If I could win for all the girls, that would be great. 

Do you think we might see a different side to you in this game?

I think if I'm a Traitor, you might say that鈥檚 a different side, because I am a bit competitive. I do think about how it will work and then how I might be within that, but it's so difficult trying to guess how things may go. I would just say that if there's somebody there that's trying to take over a bit, with too much confidence I will be watching them and I will stand my ground.

David Olusoga

Why have you signed up to The Celebrity Traitors?

This show is not like anything else I've been asked to do. So many people I know love this show. People who wouldn't normally watch anything else like this love The Traitors. So, there's something special about it. I'm never going to say yes to any of the other shows, this is the only one I'd even considered. Once I started considering the idea, it felt like it could be a really interesting experience.

Why does it appeal to you?

I have watched, and I have just rewatched 36 hours of it! This is good I think because it's a game and the British love games. And then you add that it鈥檚 a murder mystery in a castle. What could be more British? I'm sure a lot of people will be saying the same thing, it's an experience,

Are you looking forward to the Missions?

I've been trying to work out what the hell the missions could be. I am reasonably fit. I鈥檓 possibly going to discover I'm not as fit as I might think. I exercise a lot, I do a lot of heavy weights but I don't do that much cardio. So that will be interesting.

Do you have a game plan or a strategy?

I have no strategy at all. So much of this is guesswork, I don't think it's ever been the case that in the first few rounds people have ever had a strong strategy from the start they鈥檝e been able to stick to.

Do you want to be a Faithful or a Traitor?

I would like to be a Faithful for the simple reason, I think I'd be a terrible Traitor. That鈥檚 mainly because of my memory; my mind is always wandering off. I think there's a terrible risk that I'd forget that I was in deep cover. That's the reason why I'm not a spy. It would be an impossible task remembering that you're not who you're saying you are.  

Have you done anything to prepare?

I've watched all of the series before. As a producer myself, one thing I'm trying to do is stop trying to second guess the producers. Because, of course, when I watch these programmes, I'm thinking, well, what would I do as a producer? And that's just not going to get me anywhere. So I've got to stop. I've got to unlearn thinking that way. The KGB, Russian spies used to use this phrase, 鈥榯he forest of mirrors.鈥� And I've always loved that phrase. I think you'll get trapped in the forest of mirrors if you think you can second guess.

Are you a good reader of people?

I don't think I am, because I'm told I'm not by people! What I do think I have in my favour is that I'm quite persuasive, I can see logic, and I can build an argument and hopefully exert a strong influence at the round table.  I used to play poker with friends, and I always lost. They always knew whether I had a good hand or a bad hand. So I think if I am a Traitor, this could be the first time a Traitor is outed at the first round table.

Do you think we might see a different side to you in this game? This is so outside of your usual path.

I don't know. I mean, I have made a lot of documentaries and in some of those, I've been very personal, talked about experiences as a child. I've talked about my ancestors and my family. So, I don't know how to be anything other than me, whether that's on screen or off screen. I can't affect a persona, I'm not an actor. There will be very skilled actors in the castle this year and I think I'll leave that to them. Some fascinating people, an amazing room to be in. Even if some of those people are trying to kill you, at least they're interesting people. Nothing worse than being murdered by boring people!

What would winning mean to you?

It would mean an enormous surprise. I think it's so unlikely I've not given it a thought to be quite honest. We shall see.

Ruth Codd

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I'm questioning everything now! I've never done anything like this before. I watched the show, and I just thought it'd be really good fun.

You've had roles that are very dark and spooky. Could that be part of the appeal that it feels like something of a similar world?

I think because of the way I dress, everyone thinks that I'm dark and spooky all the time. And because of the parts I play. I'm not really like my roles at all. Well, I'd like to think so, because I normally end up playing really mean people! So, I'd like to think there's no similarity,

If you're Traitor, you will need to be prepared to murder your fellow players...

Well, that depends who I have to murder. You do what you鈥檝e got to do. The straight white males, they've had it easy enough as it is in this industry! I think if I am a Traitor, they would be getting picked off first. Yeah, they've had it. They've had an easy enough ride. Haha.

Do you want to be a Traitor, or would you rather be a Faithful?

I'd be happy with either. I'm kind of 50/50. I'm a very indecisive person. I flip flop back and forth.

Have you got a strategy?

I鈥檓 not set on one approach. I chopped off my own leg and taught myself to walk again. So, you know, I'm a very adaptable person, if anything. Being in situations where you have to kind of think quickly, adjust, that doesn't really phase me so I鈥檓 going in with the intention of taking it moment by moment.

What do you think you're going to bring to the game?

Sarcasm, great fashion sense and cool outfits. I'm not really a people person, so probably a lot of sarcasm and smart comments. We might need to form some alliances, but I suppose you can only judge in the moment and see who's before you.

Would you say you're a competitive person?

Naturally I am, because I grew up horse riding, but I'm not really that good at most things, so life has taught me to not be as intense about winning! I鈥檇 say I am competitive, but I can hold it in. 

Are you looking forward to the Missions?

I'm not really looking forward to the Missions. I'm not a huge fan of exercise. I'm not an active gal, and that's not a disabled thing. That's just a laziness thing. I will probably pull the disabled card and just delegate. That鈥檚 probably what I'm going to do!

Are you a good judge of character?

Yes, I know a bullshitter when I see one because my industry is full of them.

And what about yourself? Have you got a good poker face?

I don't know. Obviously, your family can always tell when you're lying. If I am a Traitor, I'll probably treat it more like a role and put that mask on.

Have you done anything to prepare?

I binge watched The Traitors. Linda from the last season - iconic. I mean, useless Traitor, but terrific person. Hugely entertaining!

(Portrait Images: 蜜芽传媒/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/Matt Burlem)

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