The series concluded on 30 October, 2026, when Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft won as Faithfuls, sharing the prize money for their chosen charities, the Refugee Council and Choose Love.
Production
In November 2025, following the first series (the finale of which was the most viewed television broadcast in the UK in 2025), it was announced that The Celebrity Traitors had been renewed for a second series. Produced by Studio Lambert, the series began filming in May 2026 at Ardross Castle and had concluded by June. Soon after being announced, the celebrities arrived at the nearby Inverness Airport. During filming, the cast stayed at the Inverness Airport Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
Prior to the official cast announcement, many celebrities expressed interest in appearing on the show, including Amanda Holden, Tom Hiddleston and Danny Dyer, who had turned down appearing on the first series. However, none of these celebrities were cast. Despite this, in March 2026 host Claudia Winkleman hinted that "the cast is extraordinary".
A teaser trailer was released simultaneously with the cast announcement on 2 May 2026, depicting the contestants' names on Traitors slates at an airport; some were misspelt, including "Richardy Grant", "Miranda Heart", and "Rob Bucket" (a reference to the series, in which players often spelt names incorrectly as they voted at the Round Table). A first-look trailer featuring the celebrities was released on 27 August 2026. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2026, BBC content chief Kate Phillips said that the series will feature "tears and surprises". On 15 September, the series was confirmed to begin on 1 October, with episodes airing on Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One at 8pm. A special programme titled Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides was released on BBC iPlayer after the first episode aired.
Contestants
The 21 celebrities competing in the series were revealed on 2 May 2026. The Guardian dubbed the line-up "one of the most high-profile casts ever assembled for a reality TV show". Significant pre-existing relationships between celebrities include the close friendship of comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, who have appeared together on Rob & Romesh Vs; Ranganathan and Julie Hesmondhalgh, who are the presenter and narrator respectively on The Weakest Link; while Jerry Hall and Richard E. Grant are close friends and neighbours.
Notes
Elimination history
Key
The contestant was a Faithful.
The contestant was a Traitor.
The contestant was ineligible to vote.
The contestant was murdered by the Traitors.
The contestant was banished at the round table.
End game
Notes
Ratings
Weekly ratings for each show on BBC One. All ratings are provided by BARB.
Reception
Critical reception
Some outlets commented on the lack of sportspeople compared to the previous series, which included Tom Daley, Clare Balding and finalist Joe Marler. In September 2026, The Times ranked Hesmondhalgh as most likely to win the series; however, she was banished in Episode 4.
External links
The Celebrity Traitors at IMDb
