Celebrity Traitors 2026 LIVE: Traitors recruit new celebrity and one is murdered

Celebrity Traitors 2026 LIVE: Traitors recruit new celebrity and one is murdered Celebrity Traitors is back on the BBC for its second series after a successful run last year, and it's already seen the biggest faux pas of any of the series ever... Celebrity Traitors is back - and what do Claudia Winkleman and co have in store for us this time around? Turns out quite a lot! In an action packed and exhilarating first episode, we saw Maya Jama and Richard E Grant named as the first two Traitors - with them having a chance to pick who they want to be their third recruit. It's between Amol Rajan and James Acaster, who are currently awaiting their fate in coffins. One will be recruited and one will be murdered, but who has been chosen? The impressive cast of 21 Faithfuls and Traitors this year includes six comedians: James Acaster, Miranda Hart, Joanne McNally, Joe Lycett, Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan. 'Big Dogs' Michael Sheen and Richard E Grant have also signed up for this series, as well as underdogs including Bella Ramsey and social media star King Kenny. What will happen with these new batch of Traitors and Faithfuls - and who will be banished first? Keep up to date with all that's going on with the Celebrity Traitors this year through our live blog. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads . Key Events Claudia's royal connection Claudia Winkleman might be best known for fronting Celebrity Traitors, but she has a very close relationship with the Royal Family. While Claudia, 54, is known to millions, her husband Kris Thykier is also famous in his own right. Kris, also 54, is a film producer credited with a number of blockbuster films and shows, including Kick-Ass, The Woman in Gold and Riviera. Claudia isn't just television royalty as she has a tie to the King. The star was an only child until her parents, Eve Pollard and Barry Winkleman, divorced in 1975. After Barry remarried Cindy Black, he went on to welcome daughter Sophie Winkleman, 46, an actress. While Sophie is best known for playing Big Suze in the sitcom Peep Show, she married into the House of Windsor in September 2009 when she tied the knot with Lord Frederick Windsor, the son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, at Hampton Court Palace. Claudia acted as one of Sophie's bridesmaids at the royal wedding. Alan ruined our chances, say comedians! The comedians in The Celebrity Traitors believe they will be under intense scrutiny in the upcoming series - after Alan Carr’s triumph last year. And Miranda Hart, who wants to be a Faithful, admits she is hell-bent on stopping “a stupid comedian” from winning as a Traitor this time around. James agrees that Alan's triumph as a Traitor last year will mean that it’s trickier for the comedians this time around. He said: "I think we're going to be the first ones under the magnifying glass being looked at - we might form an alliance if we’re not broken apart." Best moments so far! We've been scouring the internet and we've got the best moments here for you: 1. Richard E Grant's slip up - telling everyone you're a Traitor when you're actually a Traitor, nothing short of iconic! 2. Claudia's entrance - rising from a coffin as a host of a show where people get 'murdered' every day. Incredible! 3. James' face when he found out his fate - no one's ever wanted to be a Traitor less than James and didn't his face show it as he came eye to eye with the two Traitors - Richard and Maya. 4. Ross Kemp's paranoia - it's probably a given to be paranoid in the castle but Ross Kemp is taking it to a whole new level. Self-described hardman Ross was left flinching after Little Mix star Leigh-Anne brushed her hand against him! 5. Rob and Romesh going head to head - Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan are best friends outside the castle but sworn enemies within! The pair have been so convinced the other is a Traitor and keep accusing each other at every second! The Traitors board game For any fan of the show wanting to try their hand at the game, going through the gruelling BBC application process isn't necessary to experience the action. The official board gamecaptures all the tense, savage fun of the TV hit, making for an incredibly entertaining 1.5 to 3 hours of gameplay. Originally £24 at Argos, shoppers can get it for less with the discount code TOYS30, which drops the price to £16.80. But there’s more - when purchasing the game via UK cashback website TopCashback, games fans can get it for less than £1. Snagging this deal simply requires creating a free TopCashback account, here, which automatically unlocks a £15 new-member sign-up bonus. Stack that bonus with the discount code and the Argos cashback, and the total cost drops to £0.96, once cashback is applied. While that lowest price is reserved for first-time customers on both platforms, existing Argos shoppers who open a new TopCashback accountcan still grab it for a marginally higher £1.73, after cashback. It’s important to note that at the time of checkout, the reduced price with the discount code TOYS30 will be payable (£16.80). However, within seven working days, the bonus and cashback will be credited to TopCashback accounts to withdraw. Ross at risk... Former Traitor Stephen warns Ross he's at risk if he keeps accusing everyone of being a Traitor. Stephen said he thought Ross was putting a target on his back by accusing of Bella and then Leigh-Anne of being a Traitor for touching him. Could Ross be out soon? Rob and Romesh - icons! Talk has all been about Richard - but look at how great Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan are! The pair have spent the whole first episode accusing each other of being a Traitor. Think a mistake was made here - having one of the best friends a Traitor would have been incredible!! Our expert verdict! As a self-confessed Traitors superfan, I'm just amazed how this show keeps getting better! Wow, what an episode. How they make it different every year just blows my mind. I really hope we get to see some more of the celebrities who have maybe not been see as much in this episode like Julie Hesmondhalgh and Michael Sheen! Richard E Grant's iconic moment will go down in Traitors history - but let's not hope for the wrong reasons! James for Traitor? Former Traitor Stephen Libby is convinced that James will be recruited and Amol will be murdered. What do you think? Who do you think will stay?! Former Traitor Cat thinks Maya is making a mistake Maya seems too focused on saving Richard, Cat Burns - who was one of the Traitors in the first series - has suggested. She thinks the Love Island host is only thinking one day ahead and not several... We kind of agree. Richard has put himself at massive risk - and is Maya making it even more risky for herself?... Traitors expert Nicola gives her verdict Our TV editor Nicola Methven has given her verdict on the latest episode. A CLIFFHANGER Well, of course - what else did we expect?! But don't worry, we'll be hunting for clues on Uncloaked coming up next! Richard is taking this rather seriously... Richard is a Traitor through and through. His face as they make their decision! "The decision Maya and I have made is monumental for my survival. I genuinely, heartfeltedly hope I don’t live to regret it," he says. Well, he's not wrong there... James' reaction That reaction to the potential of being recruited.. it looks like James REALLY doesn't want to be a Traitor. Both him and Amol now need to plead to be recruited. It's be recruited or murdered as they will meet the Traitors face to face. "I should have seen that all along," Amol says - a little too late maybe? Two 'victims' revealed Amol and James have been selected - but who will become the Traitor and who will be murdered?! Only time will tell! Ross is paranoid again Now Leigh-Anne has touched Ross on the arm and he's convinced she's a Traitor too! Ross is creating a four foot fence around him at all times, soon they're going to be walking out the room when he enters! Not the way you make friends ha! Paranoid Ross is in full swing! Well, Ross Kemp is a bit worried isn't he. As they celebrate the mission, Bella puts the captain's hat on Ross' head to celebrate the success but he seems less then easy about it - and asks Bella, you didn't just kill me did you? After what Alan did to Paloma, we kind of don't blame him.... Finally some gold! It's only taken about half the mission for them to find any gold! Now they've got the gold - they've got to work out where to find the X. £3000 added to the pot! Lots of shouting here from Jerry and Claudia, if only Jerry just helped a little more... Mission time! Ok, everyone loves the Turret but this is actually my favourite part of the show! Who's going to be the best at these missions? I have a feeling Ross Kemp and James Blunt will be taking the lead here! And... they're off!! Is James the new Joe? Let's not forget how early on Joe Marler worked out that Alan, Cat and Jonathan were Traitors... could James Acaster be the new Joe? Whilst everyone else is convinced Richard is being Richard, James says he's sure Richard is a Traitor. Hopefully Richard doesn't know he said that or James is putting himself at great risk... Maya's advice for Richard Maya's advice for Richard is quite simple - don't keep saying you're a Traitor. Easy enough, until you realise he's spent 90 per cent of his time on screen begging to be a Traitor and then openly telling everyone the truth... The Traitors have met! Finally, Richard and Maya discovered they're both Traitors - but they have a more important job. The pair now must decide who will be their fellow Traitor. They must choose a third Traitor tomorrow, by selecting two who will plead for their lives. The other one will be murdered. Who's it going to be?! Has this worked in Richard's favour? In scenes that are WILDER than Linda's look at Claudia when she was named a Traitor, Richard has announced he is a Traitor. He said in his "unguarded excitement", he revealed his true role rather than lying. Could this be the end of the game for him, or has he just got the perfect double bluff there ever was? Richard's faux pas! Joe Lycett declares he’s a Faithful and asks Richard what he is. Astonishinly Richard tells some of the group that he’s a Traitor. It’s unclear what he’s playing at - is it an accident? But boy, are they excited by this news. And, understandably, confused. Producer Sarah Fay says they have been so lucky with being able to make every series, celebrity or civilian, feel different each time. And Richard has certainly helped with that! “Every single series, luckily, the cast brings something completely different, but never in our wildest dreams did we think that we'd have a Traitor admit they were a Traitor five minutes after the round table.” A twist is afoot In a big twist, Claudia confirmed there would be no murder tonight. She's said the course of the game isn't set but the Traitors line-up is not yet complete. "It will be though, by the time they claim their first victim..." "I'm confused" says Sharon, we kind of have to agree! What's happening next?! So we have two Traitors, something we've never seen before at the start of the programme. What's coming up next? Is there a Secret Traitor like Fiona - or is there a bigger twist in store?! Hold onto your hats - nothing is what it seems on this show! Traitors revealed - with a twist! The Traitors have been revealed and in a huge twist, we have just two Traitors named at the roundtable. Maya Jama and Richard E Grant have been named as Traitors, but what about the third? Where is Celebrity Traitors filmed? The show is filmed at Ardross Castle in Scotland, which is in the Highland region of the country and is 30 miles north of Inverness, on the banks of River Alness. The 19th Century castle is set in over 100 acres of gardens and parkland and features Scottish baronial architecture. Over the years, it has been extensively renovated, but some parts have not been touched for many years. While watching the BBC One show, it may look like the contestants stay overnight at the castle, but in fact they only eat and socialise at the venue. The contestants are then reportedly transported to and from the venue back to an unknown hotel every evening, which is believed to be near Inverness Airport. Richard wants control... Richard is DESPERATE to be a Traitor - I don't think we've ever seen someone so keen to kill on this show... The actor even suggested he might be able to 'kill' people as a Faithful too. For everybody's sake, let's hope Claudia picks Richard for one of the three Traitors roles. Heartstopper star 'flying under the radar' Heartstopper actor Sebastian Croft, 24, is hoping to fly under the radar. He said: "To be with a bunch of my heroes in a castle with Claudia is wonderful. I’m very much hoping that the fact that most of the cast don’t know me will work to my advantage." He has prepared by asking the universe for advice. He shared: "I went to see a lady who read my tarot, my astrology, crystals, the lot! I couldn’t possibly tell you any of it, it would ruin what’s going to happen." Jerry's admission Jerry Hall says she wants to be a Faithful because sleuthing is in her gene thanks to lots of law enforcement officer relations. “My uncle was a Texan Ranger who caught Bonnie and Clyde,” she declared. Producer Sarah Fay says she has fact-checked this - but only with Jerry. “When we were in the edit we werelike, ‘Is this true?' And she was like, ‘Yeah, it's true.’ Apparently his guns are in a museum in America for Texas Rangers.