Claudia Winkleman hosts Celebrity Traitors 2026 as Maya Jama, Richard E Grant and James Acaster become Traitors
The second series sees 21 celebrities in a Scottish castle, with two initial Traitors and a later recruitment, all vying for a £100,000 charity prize.
By Felo News Desk · Published
BBC One’s reality competition Celebrity Traitors returns for a second series, with host Claudia Winkleman overseeing 21 famous contestants in a Scottish castle, according to Independent and Standard.
What happened
The show launched on 1 October 2026, featuring a mix of actors, musicians, comedians and other public figures. At the start of the game, Winkleman selected two original Traitors – Love Island host Maya Jama and Oscar‑nominated actor Richard E Grant – rather than the usual three, as reported by the Standard. In the second episode, the Traitors chose comedian James Acaster to join their coven, replacing journalist Amol Rajan who was eliminated.
What the reports add
Independent highlighted that the cast includes five comedians among the 21 participants and that the prize for the winning team can reach up to £100,000 for a charity of the winner’s choice. Standard noted that Grant openly told comedian Joe Lycett he was a Traitor in the first episode, creating uncertainty among the Faithfuls. Both outlets confirm the initial selection of two Traitors and the later recruitment of Acaster.
What was said
Standard quoted Grant as saying to Acaster, “James, we’d like to welcome you as a new Traitor to the coven.” The same outlet reported that Grant revealed his Traitor status to Joe Lycett during the opening episode. Independent did not provide direct quotations but described the cast’s background and the charitable prize.
How it came about
Felo previously covered the launch of Celebrity Traitors 2026 on 1 October (BBC launches Celebrity Traitors 2026 with new cast and extended opening episode) and the full line‑up revealed on 25 September (Celebrity Traitors 2026 Full Line‑up Revealed). Those pieces noted the prize amount, the return of host Claudia Winkleman and the inclusion of a diverse celebrity roster, setting the stage for the twists reported today.
Key facts
- Claudia Winkleman hosts the second series of Celebrity Traitors 2026. (independent.co.uk)
- Maya Jama and Richard E Grant were the original Traitors. (standard.co.uk)
- James Acaster was recruited as a Traitor in episode two. (standard.co.uk)
- The prize for the winning team can be up to £100,000 for charity. (independent.co.uk)
- 21 celebrities are competing in the series. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk
- [2] standard.co.uk
