The comedians taking part in Celebrity Traitors

As the celebrity version of the hit reality series comes to BBC One this week, here's what the comedians taking part have to say about it...

Lucy Beaumont

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Well, I love the show. It's the best telly I've ever seen and I’ve watched every series. You just get totally involved and it’s a really clever game.

What do you think you’ll bring to the game?

I really don't know. You can imagine what you'd be like, but until I’m in it I just can’t say. People who know me have said I’ll either be the worst person they've ever had on the show or I’ll win it. Nothing in between.

Have you got a strategy?

No, I don't think game plans work. I’ve seen people think they have a game plan but it always comes undone. I think it's just luck that they've said the right thing at the right time and were aligned with the right people. I don't have a plan for anything, I’m going to go with the flow.

Are you looking forward to the missions? What might your strengths be in those?

No strengths! I'm not good at anything physical or logical. I will be carried during those and I’ll try to look busy.

Have you done anything to prepare?

Just lying a lot, seeing how good I can lie.

Have you got away with any of it?

Yeah, people don’t know I’m here at the castle. They think I’ve just popped down to the shops.

Do you want to be a Faithful or a Traitor?

I don’t mind which. I think there's a bit less pressure with being a Faithful, but then it'd be hard if people suspected you were a Traitor. If you are a Traitor, you can't really blame anyone for pointing the finger at you. All things considered, if I had to pick, I'd rather be a Traitor. I think it's more interesting. But I’d probably not be a very good one.

Would you say you’re good at reading people?

No. When I was a teenager, I was good at spotting 15-year-old boys that were lying but things have changed since then. I hope the skills might return in this game.

Have you got a good poker face?

It depends on the situation. If I was a Traitor, I think I could convince myself that I was a Faithful and then I don't think it's so much like lying. If I could make myself genuinely believe that then I think that's what would get me through it.

As a comedian, do you think you might use some of the skills you've developed there on the other players? Diffuse a tense moment with your humour maybe?

Maybe that might help to an extent until it starts to annoy people. I think I am good at getting on with people so that's the only thing I can offer. It's a sort of fairly okay demeanour! I haven't got any type of plan and I doubt I’ll contribute much to the missions so the only thing I've got going is that I'm moderately pleasant.

Do you think we're going to see a different side to you in this game?

I was thinking about going in speaking Welsh and pretending I’ve actually been Welsh all this time. Sort of a reverse of Charlotte. You know, I've been pretending all this time that I’m not Welsh. Or I could be really posh. I have thought about that a bit, but I probably would only manage for the first hour. Really, there’s only one side to me.

Maybe you'll discover a new side. Maybe you'll be amazing at the missions...

This time next year I might be on Team GB. I might get really into archery or something. I don't know. Doesn't feel at all likely...

What do you think you’ll enjoy most about the game?

I like the side of someone telling me what to do all the time. To the point I think I probably would be OK in prison, having no communication with the outside world. I think it's just lovely.

Stephen Fry

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I genuinely don't know. It's a complete mystery to me. I think it was probably because I've done so many things in my life that almost anything I get asked to do, I've done something like it. With this, I've never done anything like it before. I just thought it would be a new experience. Everybody kept telling me it was a very good show and it sounded interesting. I watched and I had to agree, I did think it was very good.

Do you like playing games? And would you say you’re competitive?

If I do play a game, I like to play it well. I like to see everybody playing it well. I get annoyed if people don't really throw themselves into it. As for being competitive, I didn't think so. I don't mind losing at all, but I like playing the game well. If I’m beaten because I’ve been fairly outplayed then I'm very happy, whatever the game might be.

Would you like to be a Traitor or a Faithful?

Oh, a Faithful! I just don't like the idea of having to plot against people. It's mean and it's annoying to have to find that side of oneself, because in order to play well, you have to be a bit mean. You have to decide to kill people. Really annoying. You're conspiring with others to do it, and you can't trust them either. So, you're just under much more pressure. You can see from the previous series that being a Traitor is really quite stressful.

Are you looking forward to the missions?

It's very hard to say. Some of them may be tedious like being back at school, forced into compulsory physical education. It will be interesting to see if we can work together. I'm sure we'll get very excited if we manage to accomplish something. There are players who are strong and sporty, who will be good at strong sporty things, and then those of us who are less strong and sporty will have to try and hope that we can use our wits in some way.

Have you done anything to prepare?

No, what can one do? Watching every previous episode wouldn’t help because the people are different. It's not about the thing; it's about the people with this game.

Would you say you're good at reading people? Will you be able to spot a liar?

No, absolutely not. Nobody else will either. The idea that you can be good at reading people is absolute nonsense, and it's just like astrology or anything else. Woo woo. You just can't do it. You know, empiricism proves it. People time and time again ask those whose job it is to interrogate and to find out the truth and it’s simply not possible.

We can all be convinced nonetheless, even though the facts tell us otherwise. These notions of I just knew, it’s the way he lifted his glass, his eye doing that thing – all nonsense.

Do you have a good poker face?

Yes, I mean a reasonable poker face but that doesn't mean anything. Some people look as if they're lying when they tell the truth and look as if they're telling the truth and they're lying. So, it doesn't really matter. I think the only thing you can go by is when someone makes a mistake, they make a slip, or they themselves at the Round Table choose to get rid of people and they’re spot on in their choice.

That seems mysterious. The only reason you can think why they would want to get rid of them is because they have some treacherous reason, but that's about it. Try to use reason a bit because instinct is no good.

Do you think acting skills can play a part in how you play the game?

The fact that I've acted in films and on stage and in small screen, big screen and so on, and we have others who have acted, people think, oh, they're actors, therefore they're better liars. Actors are terrible liars! It's not an actor's job to lie. It's an actor's job to tell the truth. So, there's that side of it, and there are those who are in the sporting arena, and they're known for their competitiveness. You can't succeed in sport unless you have a drive that is way beyond that of a normal person.

So those are kind of two interesting elements. I don't know what they’ve got in mind for us, but they've obviously considered all of this and will find fun ways of torturing us over the next few weeks. We'd better get used to it, I suppose!

Nick Mohammed

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

I decided to take part because I absolutely adore the show, and always have done. This is the first thing I've ever done as myself. I did Taskmaster, which was sort of as me, but even that, I decided to dress as Dracula because I wanted to hide behind something. Because I like to act, often in character, I tend not to do as much as myself to sort of preserve an element of mystery, I guess. But there was no way I was going to give up an opportunity like this! I've always loved games like this and to hang out with such a wonderful, fascinating bunch too - what a privilege.

So, your character Mr. Swallow won't be making an appearance?

Sadly, I think Nick Mohammed was booked rather than Mr. Swallow. But also, can you imagine how irritating that would be, not just for the people taking part, but for the nation?! I mean, I'm not saying I won't slip into Mr. Swallow at some point, but no, that would have been too much.

That said, your acting skills may come into play in playing the game...

The idea of keeping up a pretence for that long is interesting but I don't know if it's even really possible. It would be too exhausting, surely.

Well, there’s always potential learnings from your work – maybe like rousing team talk in Ted Lasso...

Maybe that would be good at the Round Table. A sort of Gladiator-style motivational speech. I don't know though, you don't want to draw too much attention to yourself or make yourself a target. There's an element of wanting to blend into the background a little bit, whilst not being too much of a wallflower. Otherwise, people will think you're deliberately hiding.

 I don't know if I'd want to do anything too overconfident, because it’s like when Kas did a toast to the first person who went and then was immediately suspected as being a Traitor. He was clearly a lovely, lovely guy, I just don’t want to fall into the same trap.

It's a fine line to tread. In the first instance, it's just statistics. It's just random so never worth taking too personally or seriously in the first instance. But then little cliques and certain personalities will start to emerge and various connections made, I'm sure.

Have you got a strategy?

Not really. I think I’ll just try and be quite easy breezy in the first instance. Because, you know, people are going to go right from the off. A little further down the line you can maybe start considering strategy – and it also depends on whether I’m made a Traitor or a Faithful. There’s a certain thrill of being made a Traitor, of course. 

If I'm a Faithful, I'll have that constant worry each night whether I’ll be murdered. You can of course be discovered and banished as a Traitor, but I feel that in the first instance, you're in a little bit more control. So, I would enjoy that element to a degree and I'd love to make the final. That said, I've got lovely family at home, so it's sort of a win, win. When my time is up, I get to go back home and see them!

Have you done anything to prepare?

Not really. I've shaved this morning. I’ve thought about it a lot. It was strange watching series three, knowing I was going to be doing it in a few months’ time. That was really interesting watching that and seeing how they played but it's always different with a different group of people so you can’t compare or copy what previous players have done. I had a couple of dreams about it. One was that I had to do the whole thing in an American accent! That was possibly me remembering Charlotte and her faked Welsh accent.

Would you say that you're good at reading people?

Well, I think I can smell bullshit, but I think there is a difference. I think someone lying specifically about whether they're a Traitor or not is a very different thing because it's quite abstract. It's an intangible quality at the start. In reality, it doesn't matter. You've not earned it. You've been selected. And some people might be amazing at it. That's the thrill of it, I guess, and that's why we're all here.

Do you think you've got a good poker face?

Well, no, I don't. My problem is I do find things very funny, and a lot of people who I've worked with will testify that I do often get the giggles. My biggest worry is the moment when the blindfolds are taken off at the start. Because irrespective of whether I’ve been made a Traitor or a Faithful, I’ll struggle not to smile. So that is a real, genuine worry.

Are you looking forward to the missions?

Loads! I love all of that. And how camp the whole show is, the kind of gothic, Wicker Man vibe that they have. Yeah, can't wait for that.

Alan Carr

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Well, I’m a huge fan of The Traitors. It was a no brainer. As soon as I was asked, I didn't even mull it over. I just said, I want to do it.  There's just such an air of mystery about The Traitors. And it really is iconic now, isn't it? Claudia's iconic, the castle's iconic, and the show is so it's just nice to be part of something iconic! 

I got the same feeling when I did RuPaul's Drag Race. That has the same air of mystery and secrecy about it. I remember going through the double doors and seeing the Drag Race set. It was like visiting the Taj Mahal or the Leaning Tower of Pisa. 

So, I haven't seen the castle yet, but I think I'm going to get the same buzz. It's almost a character itself. I was saying to someone, it's a bit like New York in Sex and The City. The fifth character and you can't really imagine it being anywhere else.  The Traitors’ castle is the epitome of grandeur.

Do you have a strategy?

Well people have asked, would you like to be a Traitor? And the answer is, I don't know. I'm fascinated to know how I would cope with it if I was. I'm not known for my poker face, but you've just got to adapt. I'm indecisive, and that's the problem. 

But I think that's probably good because I’d say it’s best to have an open mind. If I'm a Traitor, I’ll try to murder as many people as possible. If I'm a Faithful, I'll try and catch those Traitors. Whichever side, I think you can’t help but get sucked in. It becomes your world and that's the part that I'm quite looking forward to, the routine of it and just being fully immersed in it.

What about reading other people's faces? Are you good at that?

I'd like to think I'm quite good at spotting a liar, but it depends on how good they are. And then these are celebrities. They're sociopaths! I would not trust a celebrity as far as I could throw them!

What about the missions? Are you looking forward to those?

No! Thinking back over other series there was that one where they were pushing the barrels, I think that was the first one. I mean, I really don't want to be pushing a barrel, but do you know what? Maybe the stress of being in the castle, I can imagine it being nice to get out in the fresh air and gorgeous countryside.

Would you say you're a competitive person?

I say I'm not, but I can be when I get involved in things and I want to make an impact.

Are we going to see a different side to you in the game?

There will be a different side to me. I’ll have to adapt; no comedy, it's one of those shows where you have to shape shift. You have to chat to people you wouldn't normally chat with just to see if they are hiding anything. I don't think it's a case of how good you are at being a Traitor or a Faithful. It's how you adapt and how you draw on your social skills. I’ve worked in a call centre where I had to deal with one thing after another, so I think my call centre skills are going to come in handy!

What would winning mean to you?

It would be a miracle! I'd say I'd like to win, because I'd like to just wipe the smirk off some of my friends’ faces! They said, Alan, you are going to go home first. I think my agent’s actually booked things in for the second week and he’s said to keep the engine running!

It would be incredible to come out that castle as a winner, not only to prove to my friends but to prove I can do it to myself.

Joe Wilkinson

Why have you decided to take part in The Celebrity Traitors?

Big fan of the show and just because it's a big game and for the experience. I turned 50, and I thought I'd like to do some weirder stuff.

Didn’t you encourage Paul Gorton to sign up to series two?

We did. Paul came on our podcast, Chatabix. We had him on to talk about being on Deal Or No Deal. And I'd got into the first series of The Traitors and we were talking about it, about how he should go for it. He did enter, amazingly got on and the world got Paul Gortoned.

Do you want to be a Traitor, or do you want to be a Faithful?

When the show was first out, I always said I wanted to be a Faithful because I thought it would be too stressful to be a Traitor. Now I’m here I’m kind of thinking ‘in for a penny’. So, I don't know and I think I'll only know how I’ll feel if I get the tap on my shoulder or not. I think a bit of all of us will be like that’s a blessed relief if we’re not chosen. That said, I would like to see the turret.

What will you bring to the game?

I'll be there every day. I'll be punctual. I'll be washed and have cleaned my teeth. Anything else, I don't know. I think that's reasonable; clean. That’s all I can guarantee.

Any strategy?

I haven't got a plan. No, I don't think I've got the brain for it.

Well, perhaps good to not be so fixed and able to pivot and adapt..?

I won't be able to pivot either. I mean, I'm just in the slow lane. I'm just going to do my absolute best to chuck myself into it. That’s what I'm going to do.

 What can we expect from you in the missions?

Oh, God, the missions! I like being outdoors so that's a good start. That's on my side. I'm quite outdoorsy. I'm going to be wearing shorts, and I'll give it a whirl. I'm not going to be the fittest. Obviously, I'm not going to be the strongest. I'm hoping to fall in the middle. Generally, that's my rule of thumb. Fall in the middle.

Have you done anything to prepare?

I had to buy a load of new clothes. I needed to look a bit smarter. I've got lots of new jumpers.

Would you say you're good at reading people?

No, I can’t spot a liar. I'm very trusting. There's a good chance I might think there are no Traitors at all.

Have you got a good poker face?

No. I'm sort of worried I'll say something stupid and make myself look guilty. That's rattling around in my head.

Is the beard helpful with a poker face though?

All in the eyes, isn’t it? I don’t think the beard will help me. The beard has never been an advantage.

Do you want to win?

I'd like to not come in the bottom two. Oh God that might happen. I think that might happen.

Do you think we'll see a different side to you in the game?

Honestly, I don't know how I'm going to react in there, in the moment. I haven't planned or predicted anything. That’s either masterful or idiotic. I’ll take it step by step and see how I do.

• Celebrity Traitors starts on BBC One at 9pm on Wednesday. Also taking part are Clare Balding, Paloma Faith, Niko Omilana. Celia Imrie, Cat Burns, Joe Marler, Charlotte Church, Jonathan Ross, Tom Daley, Kate Garraway, Mark Bonnar, and Tameka Empson

Published: 5 Oct 2025