Claudia Winkleman has admitted she was “scared” about the idea of a Celebrity Traitors when she was first told about the spin-off series. 

The Traitors host was worried about the original show being lost to a bigger version and relayed her fear to show bosses at the BBC.

In a new interview, ahead of the first ever series of The Celebrity Traitors, Claudia also admits she “struggled” to film it alongside 19 famous faces – many of whom she knows or admires.

Claudia confessed: “I was scared. Only because I’m 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.”

Celebrity Traitors: Claudia’s struggles with filming

The Celebrity Traitors starts next week and 19 famous faces will be taking over Ardross Castle in Scotland. The prize? Up to £100,000 for charity if the Faithfuls can successfully root out the Traitors hiding among them.

There are some big names among the line-up. They include chat show host Jonathan Ross, broadcaster Stephen Fry, Chatty Man Alan Carr, presenter Kate Garraway, Olympian Tom Daley and singer Paloma Faith.

But Claudia admits coming face-to-face with them all in the castle and trying to remain serious and not fan-girl over them was a struggle.

She said: “The biggest challenge was being ‘strict’. 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.”

Claudia continues: “I could barely breathe when I saw them all in the Highlands. I’m such a fan of every single one of them. The whole team were just in awe, it was hard not to scream, ‘You’re here!’.

“When I talked to Stephen Fry I almost welled up, I told him, ‘This was my dream’.” She added: “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!”

‘Extraordinary experience’

Despite her initial nerves, Claudia now admits it was an “extraordinary” experience to film The Celebrity Traitors. The star, who is also on our screens co-hosting Strictly Come Dancing this autumn, was particularly delighted to see just how invested the celebrity players became in the game.

“They’re incredibly smart and kind,” she added. “They play the game beautifully and were fully engulfed in it. It was an extraordinary experience and we’re so, so lucky this nineteen said yes.”

Claudia’s Traitors ‘persona’

When asked what character she channels when hosting The Traitors, Claudia admits she takes inspiration from some of pop culture’s most iconic villains.

She said that while hosting, she aims to remind contestants of “Cruella de Vil with a touch of Miss Trunchbull”. Although she acts stern in front of the cameras, the presenter confessed she often wants to break the rules while filming.

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

When does The Celebrity Traitors start?

The Celebrity Traitors will kick off on BBC One and iPlayer on Wednesday October 8, 2025. It starts with an extended 70-minute premiere before continuing the following night. The series will continue to air twice a week thereafter, with shows on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

As always, Claudia and the production team will decide which of the 19 contestants are Faithfuls and which are Traitors at the start of the game. The Faithfuls must work together to root out the traitors – but if even one Traitor makes it to the end undetected, they’ll steal the entire prize fund for themselves.

Expect a more flamboyant wardrobe from Claude, too. She’s admits: “It’s absolutely nuts. Unhinged in taffeta was where we went.”

We can’t wait!

Read more: The Celebrity Traitors on BBC: Everything we know including cast, start date and where it’s filmed

The Celebrity Traitors launches on Wednesday, 8 October on BBC One at 9pm.