The BBC is reportedly planning a celeb version of The Traitors after the incredible success of the first series of the gripping reality show. Insiders say everyone at the BBC has been "thrilled" with the response to the show, which ended with a tense finale on December 22.
The reality TV show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, saw 22 contestants in a Scottish castle complete secret missions to bag a £100k cash prize throughout 12 episodes. The programme was a bigger success than anyone could have predicted, with 17 million views on iPlayer, and according to the Mirror, celebrity fans are lining up to put themselves forward for a star-studded version.
Host Claudia has already picked her line-up for the all-star show, which insiders say is likely to be a fundraiser for Comic Relief or Children in Need. She said: "Victoria Coren, Kirsty Young, Adam Woodyatt, Stephen Fry, Alison Hammond… let’s do that.”
The BBC One show saw people split into two groups, with "faithfuls" trying to work out who the "traitors" are. Players worked together to build up a cash prize pot by completing different challenges.
Competitors left the show when they were banished during a group vote or were "murdered" by traitors. The cash was ten split among the remaining faithfuls - unless they failed to spot the last traitors, who would then win.
On Thursday, the first series was won by faithfuls Aaron Evans, Hannah Byczkowski and Meryl Williams who shared £100,000. After weeks of the treacherous game, Thursday’s episode saw five finalists reduced to the last three.
However, the win did not come easily as they first had to complete a demanding challenge which saw comedian Hannah, 32, and property agent Aaron, 24, tasked with jumping out of a helicopter into a lake where they had to swim to buoys to reveal numbers.
The numbers helped call centre agent Meryl, 25, solutions consultant Kieran, 42, and senior fundraiser Wilfred, 28, crack the code of a lock which released a map and keys to a jet-ski which they used to travel to a number of treasure troves which contained different amounts of cash. They successfully uncovered £20,000 bringing the final total of the jackpot to £100,000.
Celeb fans of the tense reality show include Rylan Clark, Loose Women’s Judi Love, DJ Greg James and Corrie’s Sally Ann Matthews. Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson is another fan, while actress Kathy Burke recently backed Wilf Webster after his betrayal of fellow traitor Amanda Lovett.
An insider said: “Everyone’s been thrilled with how much love there’s been for The Traitors and a celebrity version is a natural next step. Viewers will get to see different sides of some big names as they try to manipulate others or uncover the truth about fellow players.”
