The Celebrity Traitors may appear like it is all fun and games on TV, but some of the participants have explained that they really did find it difficult to live under rules and deception for several weeks during filming
Jonathan Ross has admitted he struggled with constant lies while competing on The Celebrity Traitors(Image: BBC)
The makers of The Celebrity Traitors have confirmed mental health experts are on hand to support the contestants at all times after Jonathan Ross revealed he struggled while making the show. The star-filled version of the game show has been a ratings smash for the BBC.
But it seems lying to all those around you can play heavily on those taking part, both faithfuls and traitors alike. In a recent podcast, talk show host Jonathan, 64, admitted that he found it difficult to lie to the fellow stars in the first UK celebrity version of the show.
He was selected alongside comedian Alan Carr, 49, and singer Cat Burns, 25, as a traitor – and tasked with killing off fellow stars and working to manipulate the other contestants to wrongly guess who the traitors were. But speaking on his podcast, Jonathan remarked: “You’re on the defence this whole time” – and complained it was hard to be constantly lying.
Fans of the Traitors will note that a psychologist, Victoria Plant, and a psychotherapist and counsellor, Tanya Taylor-Wright, are listed as part of the crew. A source told The Sun that the mental health experts were on hand to support those taking part.
They said: “People may think it is just a telly show, but when you’re living the game 24/7, it takes a toll. It was made clear to the celebrities that help was on hand for them if they were struggling with the mind games.
“There is a duty of care in television now, so medical experts are employed on set, but it was of paramount importance on The Traitors because of the nature of the show.”
A spokesperson for The Traitors confirmed to The Mirror that the exact same measures are put in place for the civilian version of the show – and that showmakers take ensuring the care and safety of contestants is met at all times extremely seriously. This always includes making a psychotherapist and a psychologist available to the cast.
The spokesperson said: “Since the very first series in 2022, we have had a dedicated welfare team and psychological support on hand at all times who monitor and regularly speak to all of the players in private to ensure they feel comfortable throughout the entire process. Our priority is and will continue to be supporting the well-being of our cast, and this is the case before, during and after filming.”
So far, the traitors have managed to avoid being uncloaked as the 16 faithful contestants have either been picked off like sitting ducks or tricked into banishing their fellow faithfuls.
Viewers have been left in amusement as the traitors have expertly taken out the other stars while competing to win a prize of up to £100,000 for charity. Alan spilled the first blood when he marked singer Paloma Faith for death in plain sight when he completed a task which involved planting a black mark on her face.
Jonathan’s time could be running out, however, as the faithful contestants have speculated that either he or Stephen Fry could be a traitor, but they voted out the Blackadder actor at a round table.
Sport and reality show fans have different reasons to take not of the rumoured line up for I’m A Celebrity…. Get Me Out Of Here! 2025 as a major sporting event may be affected by plans
22:56, 26 Oct 2025Updated 22:56, 26 Oct 2025
Conor Benn is tipped to take part in I’m A Celeb 2025(Image: Getty Images)
Boxing star Conor Benn is reportedly being lined up to star in the upcoming season of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! despite having fights planned incredibly close to the expected air date.
Long-time fans of I’m A Celeb will be used to watching stars parachute into the Australian jungle every November. This year will see the 25th season of the long-running show air on ITV – and an early November start date is anticipated.
One of the names linked to the upcoming series is 29-year-old boxer Conor, who is the son of former two-division world champion boxer Nigel Benn. Fans might be surprised to see his name tied to the series, as he is due to fight Chris Eubank Jr on November 15 for a hotly anticipated rematch.
A source told The Sun: “The logistics are a challenge given how close the match is to the start of the jungle, but ITV and Conor are keen to make this happen if they can.” The Mirror has approached representatives of Conor and I’m A Celebrity for comment.
A string of other stars have been tipped to appear in the new season of the show, with EastEnders star Shona McGarty, Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, and comedian Ruby Wax among those thought to have signed up for gruelling tasks and infamous trials.
I’m A Celeb fans should have even more jungle action to watch in the coming months as a second season of the All Stars version has reportedly wrapped. Filmed in South Africa, the spin-off show sees past contestants return to take part in more tasks.
Gemma Collins, Harry Redknapp, Scarlett Moffatt, and Sir Mo Farah are among the names attached to the upcoming second season. The format of the show has disappointed fans, however, as it airs as a pre-recorded show.
This deprives viewers of the ability to vote for those they want to see take part in trials – and also to vote for a winner. The first All Stars season aired in April 2023 – six months after the filming process ended.
Former Hear’Say singer & presenter Myleene Klass was crowned the winner of the show, triumphing over second-place star Jordan Banjo and third-place star Fatima Whitbread.
ITV confirmed the show would return last month, with host Ant McPartlin saying in a statement: “The campmates really brought their A-game to the first series, so we can’t wait to be back for more trials, challenges and surprises amongst the beautiful South African landscape.”
Co-host Declan Donnelly added: “Having a live final is an exciting addition to the new series with the viewers choosing their IAC Legend and we’ve heard some of the new trials are truly epic, even by I’m A Celeb… standards!”
Meanwhile, Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Commissioning at ITV, said: “We were blown away by the love for the first series of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa. It was a true celebration of the show’s history, and viewers loved seeing their favourite campmates return to their screens. We can’t wait to do it all again next year with a whole new cohort, and have the audience crown the winner during a live final for the first time.”
And Tom Gould, Director of Entertainment & Formats, Lifted Entertainment, added: “We’re very excited to have some more of the most memorable campmates from previous series returning to take on terrifying trials and face challenging twists and difficult decisions, in the tougher setting of South Africa.
“It will test them to their limits, and with a live final, this time viewers will get to decide who truly deserves the title of I’m A Celebrity Legend”.
Line of Duty actor Mark Bonner was banished on Thursday’s (October 23) episode of Celebrity Traitors.
The Line of Duty star was banished from the Traitors castle(Image: BBC)
Celebrity Traitors star Mark Bonnar has revealed who he reckons will triumph as he declared two contestants’ “days are numbered”.
The Line of Duty actor was booted out on Thursday’s (October 23) episode of the BBC smash hit after his destiny was sealed through the Chest Of Chance following a voting stalemate between himself and David Olusoga.
He fell under scrutiny after his fellow contestants branded him of being excessively theatrical.
At the time, Rugby player Joe Marler said his performing abilities would enable him to ‘slip into the role of a traitor’ with ease.
Traitor Alan Carr also set his sights on the 56 year old actor after spotting a chance to eliminate another faithful, reports Wales Online.
After his departure from the Celebrity spin-off, the actor featured on Saturday’s (October 25) episode of BBC breakfast with presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty.
It wasn’t long before the hosts grilled the star on some programme spoilers as Naga questioned: “Who do you think is going to win?”
Mark declared: “I don’t know but I think at this stage I would say probably.. I’ll choose one from each camp and it’s either Nick or Cat.”
Naga pressed on: “So Cat is a Traitor and Nick is Faithful.” Mark responded: “Yes. I think they’re both playing a really brilliant game.”
Charlie interjected: “It’s kind of a tricky one now, you know what you’re allowed to say and what you’re not allowed to say.”
Naga was eager for the star to reveal some programme secrets as she questioned: “So do you know because you said you generally don’t know.”
Mark kept his cards close to his chest, stating: “I generally don’t know.” Naga pressed on: “So you only know up to your involvement.”
The TV host continued: “As you were watching you said Cat and not Jonathan or Alan.”
Mark speculated: “I think Jonathan’s days are numbered because Joe has been kind of gunning for him. Even though he goes for him and says ‘Jonathan, Jonathan’ but ends up voting for something else.”
He added: “I still think his days are numbered and he knows it as well. Alan has really grown into it, he started off really sweaty but now he is just accusing people left right and centre.
“But I think his days might be numbered too because if they don’t get him next week, they’ll come back to that forgetting he had a shield and that is a big thing. He has forgotten because he doesn’t care.”
You can catch up on Celebrity Traitors on BBC iPlayer
Former England footballer Alex Scott has reportedly been lined up by ITV bosses to star in this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and is said to be in ‘advanced talks’
23:00, 24 Oct 2025Updated 23:00, 24 Oct 2025
Alex Scott is reportedly heading to the jungle for this year’s I’m A Celebrity(Image: Getty Images)
A former England football star turned TV presenter is reportedly in “advanced talks” with ITV bosses to appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
Alex Scott, a former Lioness, who has been in a relationship with singer Jess Glynne since 2023, looks set to fly out to Australia after impressing ITV bosses.
According to reports, Alex is keen to show the British public a different side to her personality as they only see her in a professional manner.
A source recently revealed to The Sun: “Alex loves pushing herself out of her comfort zone and where better to do it than the jungle? The public know her as a sportswoman and a serious broadcaster so she thinks she can show people a side to her that they’ve never seen before. “
They added: “Alex is game for anything and is a tough cookie so she’s ready for anything that gets thrown at her — literally.”
Alex recently caused a stir after it emerged that she was considering leaving BBC’s Football Focus, which she joined in 2021, after she was blamed for a drop in viewing figures after replacing Dan Walker.
Another source said: “Alex felt deeply hurt by the unfair criticism, she felt like she had been thrown under the bus. The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures.”
However, ITV refuse to conform reports. A show spokesman told the Mirror: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here are just speculation.”
Other names thrown into the mix include actresses Shona McGarty and Lisa Riley, Kelly Brook, Vogue Williams, rapper Aitch, YouTube star Morgan Burtwistle, better known as Angry Ginge, and radio host Nick Ferrari.
Alex’s personal life has been a talking point after it emerged that she was in a relationship with singer Jess Glynne.
But the football pundit revealed that she found it difficult to show emotion after living in an abusive household.
She has described her father as being “stupidly cruel”, and revealed to The Times that he was physically and mentally abusive. This claim has been strongly denied by her father.
She told the publication in March this year: “We weren’t allowed to express emotion. Dad didn’t allow us to hug each other or say ‘I love you’. It had a huge impact on us all.
“To this day, if I want to show people love, I’ll do it by taking them out to dinner and paying. I remember one of the first times Jess hugged me. I was like… [rigid]. She was like, ‘Are you not going to put your arms around me?’ But I didn’t know how to do that.”
On hearing the allegations made about him, her father responded at the time and said: “I have no idea why she’s saying all this stuff. I was raised in a strict but loving Jamaican family and Alex should know what they are like. I taught her discipline, I did a lot to help her.”
Celebrity Traitors stars Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns could be about to come to blows in the latest episode of the hit BBC show, a body language expert has predicted
Celeb Traitors stars Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns set to come to blows(Image: BBC)
The talk show legend, 64, and viral TikTok singer Cat, 25, are both taking part in the hit reality series in which a host of famous faces live in a castle and have to work out which of them is one of the titular Traitors, all guided by Strictly Come Dancing‘s Claudia Winkleman.
Both Jonathan and Cat are in fact Traitors, as is comedian Alan Carr but the other contestants are all Faithfuls, and now body language expert Judi James has explored the ‘subtle but revealing’ signs that things were not right between them during last night’s episode.
Normally, during the part in the show where the Traitors remove their hoods, there is often fits of laughter between them. But explaining what was different this time, Judi explained: “Last night’s meet-up was different though because, for Jonathan and Cat, the masks never came off. They surveyed each other without any signals of relief.”
She added: “Their body language was subtle but revealing, proving they, both now recognise they are enemies. Last night’s meet-up was different though because, for Jonathan and Cat, the masks never came off. They surveyed each other without any signals of relief.
“We saw them ignore Alan to stare at each other, and Jonathan performed a thin ‘smile’ of recognition, which was returned by Cat. There was no pretence between them, but no open declarations of war. Jonathan let Cat know he knew what she was doing and she stared him back to let him know she intends to carry on doing it.”
Jonathan adopted a dominant, alpha pose, leaning his weight onto his hands that clutched the rail in front, leaning forward in a way that could be seen as an attempt to to silently ‘threaten’ Cat. What’s more, the singer smiled when she looked at Alan but the smile quickly faded when she clapped eyes on Jonathan.
It’s also been noted that Cat moved her ‘weight from one foot to the other,’ and this can imply a ‘fight or flight’ stance when coming face-to-face with an enemy.
But the body expert also explained how Cat held her own, adding: “Cat even showed higher status to Jonathan, raising her chin and her brows when she spoke to him and looking down her nose while he bowed his head down low.”
At the end of last night’s episode, Stephen Fry was banished from the castle despite being a Faitful. Speaking to his fellow celebrities, Stephen said he had the “best fun for years” and called the group “an extraordinary and wonderful bunch of people”.
Insisting he would hold “no hard feelings” over his banishment, he said that being involved had been a “privilege and an honour” that had filled him with “deep delight”.
On spin-off, Uncloacked, Stephen said he thought Cat, Joe and David were the Traitors, but he got the shock of his life when he found out the truth…
“Jonathan?! FFS!” he said. “Oh he played a blinder, we knew he was a superfan, but he convinced me he wanted to be Faithful!”
“Alan?! What will Paloma say? Wow does he want to end the realtionship?! Alan Carr, I don’t believe it! Two big dogs, and one small Cat!”
The Celebrity Traitors continues on 29 October at 9pm on BBC One.
Celia Imrie, who was in Thursday Murder Club, shared suspicions Jonathan Ross could be a villain in the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors, during which Welsh singer Charlotte Church was “murdered” yesterday
Celia Imrie admitted she has a ‘crush’ on TV presenter Jonathan Ross
The performer, who was in Thursday Murder Club this year, made the admission as she considered Ross, 64, could be a traitor. Imrie, 73, voted to boot him out following the roundtable discussion on Wednesday’s drama-packed episode.
Imrie, who has been in popular dramas and films for the past five decades, said: “This is a bit tricky because I’ve got a bit of a crush on you right now, but I put you Jonathan because I think you have the chutzpah and brilliance to be a traitor.”
After two rounds of voting that ended with Scottish actor Mark Bonnar and historian David Olusoga receiving an equal amount of votes, presenter Claudia Winkleman announced the banishment would be left to chance.
The episode ended before the result of the banishment, which takes place following a roundtable discussion that sees contestants debate the identity of the secret traitors who meet at night to plot their next “murder”, in a bid to take the charity prize pot from the faithfuls.
A number of scenes with Imrie have gone viral, including when she audibly passed wind during a stressful mission in a cabin, prompting gales of laughter from her fellow cast members, as well as viewers around the country.
Another clip of Imrie, which showed her howling down a well while mimicking the sound of a banshee for a challenge, was turned into a meme.
She prompted further laughs when, before the challenge, comedian Lucy Beaumont said “you know what you do in a well, don’t you?”, to which she replied: “Put the pussy in.”
Earlier in the episode, Welsh singer Charlotte Church became the latest contestant to be “murdered” by the traitors – comedian Alan Carr, TV presenter Jonathan Ross and singer Cat Burns – who had plotted their next move during last Thursday’s episode.
Reacting to her murder, Church, 39, said: “I thought I was going to be murdered. I’m outspoken at the round table, and I’m outspoken with my opinions, not that I was successful in being much of a threat to the traitors. But as the game progressed, I hope that I would’ve been. I hope that that’s why they’ve gotten rid of me. Well played traitors.”
Celia Imrie is one of several famous faces appearing on the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors, and in the past, the beloved actress, who’s appeared in Bridget Jones, has shared glimpses of her life
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
11:36, 22 Oct 2025Updated 11:36, 22 Oct 2025
Celia is currently appearing on Celebrity Traitors(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
Celia Imrie had no wishes to marry – or date, but after wanting a child took a slightly unconventional route to motherhood. The actress is one of the famous faces starring in BBC hit Celebrity Traitors.
She’s joined in the castle by the likes of Alan Carr, Charlotte Church, Kate Garraway, Lucy Beaumont, Jonathan Ross, Clare Balding, Cat Burns and Stephen Fry. Celia believes being an actor gives her “quite an advantage” to the game, but has shared a number of personal revelations in the series so far.
Celia has spoken of her special arrangement with the late actor, Benjamin Whitrow. Celia has made it no secret that she had no intentions of getting married, but had always wanted to be a mum. She and Benjamin welcomed son Angus, also an actor, who has appeared in Station Jim, The Crown and Flea Bag.
Now, 73, when she was in her 40s, Celia asked Whitrow for a child but revealed she didn’t expect him to contribute towards their son’s life. Instead, she made the decision that she would raise their child completley alone. Speaking about her deal with Whitrow, she told the Telegraph: “Angus was devoted to his father and, though I’ve never really said it properly, Ben and I did have a romance.
“I wanted to have his baby before it was too late, and he [Whitrow] was very, very honest with him [Angus], and he accepted that and was a wonderful father.” Whitrow, known for playing Mr Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, died in September 2017, aged 80.
She said it was “very tough” and that she had lost “a very darling friend”. Prior to his death, Celia had insisted that they were just friends. She and Whitrow, who was divorced with two adult children, met in the 1990s, and it was during a walk on the beach when she asked him to father her son.
Reflecting on this, she said in her memoir, Happy Hoofer: “We gradually got to know each other and grew very fond. He thought perhaps in time…but because Ben had a grown-up family I was very anxious not to upset them.
“Ben and I walked on the beach one day as I laid out my terms. As long as he understood I would not ask for anything, I wouldn’t want to live with him, or marry him, would never ask for money for the child and I would be responsible for choosing and paying for the child’s education, accommodation, clothing – everything.
“I was trying to be clear and true. Some people might say calculated, but I would say I was being honest. If Ben could take all that on board, I said, then his offer to fulfil my wish for a child would be wonderful. He has proved to be a marvellous father to Angus. And his whole family has been very welcoming.”
Celia has been very clear that she prefers friendship to sex and has no desire to marry. Speaking to the Telegraph in 2013, she said: “I have a horror of boring someone or, worse still, of someone boring me. I said to my mother when I was seven, ‘But, Mums, if it was only my husband and me in the house together, what would we talk about?’ I’ve never wanted to answer my own question, and doubt I’ll bother now.”
The winners moved celebrities, politicians and stars to tears with their stories of courage, bravery and brilliance at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards
21:50, 20 Oct 2025Updated 21:51, 20 Oct 2025
It has been celebrating the very best of everything British for more than quarter of a century. And once again it was the children of courage and incredible stories of bravery in adversity which moved a host of celebrities, actors and sport stars to tears at the 26th Daily Mirror Pride of Britain awards, with P&O Cruises.
The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was there with his wife Victoria to pay tribute to the long line of unsung heroes as they received the recognition they so richly deserve. At just 12 years old, Luke Mortimer typified what the night is all about when he received his Child of Courage trophy.
Luke had all his limbs amputated after contracting meningococcal meningitis septicaemia in 2019. Yet still he thought of others. The audience at the Grosvenor House Hotel gave him a huge round of applause as they heard how he had donated thousands for children with disabilities, through his extraordinary fundraising activities.
In 2024, he climbed Pen-y-ghent with his mum Christine and brother Harry, 15, meeting his dad Adam and a team of 19 who were climbing the National Three Peaks and Yorkshire Three Peaks. They raised almost £20,000 to help fund prosthetics for Luke and help other child amputees. He told his loved ones that we should all “concentrate on the future” as he set about helping others.
His favourite TV stars Ant and Dec sent a special message to Luke, who told host Carol Vorderman of his motto when life was tough: “Hope for a good time and try and make it happen.”
His dad Adam added: “We are massively proud of him, he takes everything in his slightly smaller stride.”
Marcus Skeet, 17, became the first person in the UK to run from Land’s End to John O’Groats as he fought back from a suicide attempt at the age of 15. He had obsessive compulsive disorder, and became a carer for his dad, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia.
Marcus admitted: “It shattered my heart.” After his suicide attempt, it was a ‘miracle’ that he had survived. Known as ‘the Hull Man’, with 350,000 followers on social media, he watched cars go by as he got caught in a rainstorm, with 790 miles to go in his epic run.
Marooned in a layby, soaked through, he still became a record breaker, raising £164,560 for mental health charity Mind, with his dad there to see him at the end. “I will remember that for the rest of my life,” said Marcus.
His incredible feat took a combination of supreme dedication and endurance and he joked: “I hate running.” Dr. Sarah Hughes, CEO at Mind paid tribute, saying: “His story reads like a film script, courage, loss, hope, and relentless determination.
“But Marcus isn’t a character; he’s a real-life hero.” Pub landlord comedian Al Murray revealed he had been inspired by Marcus to raise money for Mind. Looking for donors in the audience, he said: “Whether you are an actor or a rock star, you cannot fail to be moved by this night.”
Personal trainer Javeno McLean, 40, met his heroes as his work for the disabled, ill and elderly was recognised with the P&O Cruises Inspiration award.
Former world champion heavyweight David Haye joined legends of the ring Frank Bruno and Barry McGuigan to hand over the coveted trophy. They heard how Javeno has been offering free fitness sessions to the needy at his J7 Gym in Manchester.
At 16, he offered to train a boy in a wheelchair who was struggling in the gym. Since then, Javeno has been devoted to creating a friendly and inclusive gym space for all. He told the judges: “When you include people you empower them.”
Haye said it was an ‘honour’ to be chosen to give him the award. On a night of awe-inspiring stories, PCs Yasmin Whitfield, Cameron King and Inspector Moloy Campbell were recognised for their extraordinary bravery.
They answered an emergency call on an ‘ordinary’ working day which almost turned out to be their last. By the time they confronted sword attacker Marcus Arduini Monzo in Hainault, East London on April 20,2024, he had already killed Daniel Anjorin, 14.
Despite having no Taser or pepper spray, Pc King drew his baton and stood between the killer and Yasmin, who suffered horrific slash injuries.
Insp Campbell also suffered a slash wound to his hand after he confronted Monzo in a car park and ran at him, baton drawn. Other officers were able to deploy their Tasers and subdue the killer. PC King ‘stood between Yas and Monzo’, who ran off, before being cornered by cops. He said: “I remember just thinking, I can’t let him finish her off’. I put myself between Yas and him. I thought ‘we’re going to die in this alleyway.'” Insp Campbell admitted: “When I challenged Mr Monzo, I knew it may be the last decision I would ever make.” Monzo was later jailed for life with a minimum term of 40 years. In 2016, footy coach Asha Ali Rage 46, set up her community club, determined to use sport to protect youngsters from gangs. The aptly named Dream Chasers FC in Small Heath, Birmingham has since become a vital hub for her local community.
Asha received her award from England’s ‘Golden Gloves’ World Cup keeper Mary Earps who has done so much to raise the profile of sport for women; Asha’s Special Recognition Award was for “changing the lives” of the young stars of the future. Leanne Pero MBE, 30, won another recognition award for The Movement Factory community dance company which she founded when she was just 15. Londoner Leanne, who survived breast cancer, also started Black Women Rising, a cancer support group that has raised more than £1m to fund support and advice. She said of surviving cancer: “The worst part was finishing treatment.” Teenager of Courage winner Eagling Zach, 14, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, also donated to the Epilepsy Society by walking laps of his garden in the 2020 lockdown. After trolls bombarded him with flashing images to try to trigger a seizure, he campaigned for legislation to protect people with epilepsy online. Zach’s Law was introduced across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in Sept., 2023, making it a criminal offence, with a maximum five-year jail term, to troll anyone with epilepsy to deliberately cause a seizure. Zach has now launched a petition to ‘make a difference’ and try to ensure public transport is more accessible for disabled people. For Sally Becker, 63, helping those most in need in society has been her life’s work.
She first went to Bosnia in 1993 to help the victims of war. Tasked with taking aid to a hospital, she found herself evacuating sick and injured children in an old Bedford van.
She has now spent more than three decades helping children in besieged areas, such as Gaza, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine.
In 2016, she founded Save a Child, providing medical treatment for kids in conflict areas. And she launched a mobile tele-medicine programme connecting local doctors with paediatric specialists. She said: “We have saved thousands of children.”
Georgie Hyslop, 15, was thrilled to be made the Good Morning Britain Fundraiser of the year. In 2023, when Georgie, then 15, was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer in the bones, she donated her tissue to Cancer Research. She raised more than £55,000 for hospitals and charities.
Through 14 rounds of chemo and 33 of radiation, Georgie gave cards with encouraging messages, known as “pocket hugs”, to fellow patients, and dressed up as Spider-Man to cheer up a four-year-old patient having radiotherapy.
Georgie, 17, from Ardrossan, Ayrshire, went into remission in July 2024, but the cancer returned earlier this year. She said: “I have lots of fundraising planned and lots to look forward to.”
Set up by three music teachers at an additional needs school in 1995, the Ups & Downs theatre group in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, is for young people with Down’s syndrome as well as their families.
Now led by Lorna Leggatt, whose son Ellis, 26, has been a member since he was five, Ups & Downs offers inclusive activities, including music, dance and drama, to around 70 members, who have Down’s syndrome or a sibling with the condition. Audiences leave their shows ‘deeply moved’.
Fellow PoB winner Harry Byrne lost his mother on Christmas Day; her death caused Harry, then 11, to descend into mental health problems, addiction and homelessness. Harry, 24, was helped by local homelessness charity St Basil’s and discovered The King’s Trust Get Started in Outdoor Leadership programme, landing a job in Coventry.
Now supporting young people facing difficulties, through outdoor activities, he hopes to run his own therapy-based coaching service. Harry said: “I didn’t have many role models or access to the support I needed when I was younger. I’m passionate about getting up every morning and providing just that for the next generation.”
RAF hero John Nichol, 61, the navigator from North Shields, North Tyneside who was shot down and captured in Iraq during the first gulf war of 1990, has attended every single one of the Pride of Britain’s 26 award nights. A good friend of the late awards founder Peter Willis, he said: “I was next to Gary Barlow on that first night and had to give him my hankie. I think there is only me and Carol Vorderman who have been to every one.
“Nobody knew what to expect, but it has become the best of the lot.”
Pictures: Rowan Griffiths, Adam Gerrard, Andy Stenning.
* Watch the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises on Thursday October 23 at 8pm on ITV1.
The players are having fun getting to know each other but are proving spectacularly bad at spotting Jonathan Ross, Cat Burns or Alan Carr as The Traitors on the BBC series
22:00, 16 Oct 2025Updated 22:32, 16 Oct 2025
Clare Balding got banished after she took on Jonathan Ross – and lost
Two more of the Faithful bit the dust last night in The Celebrity Traitors with Clare Balding the latest big name to exit, along with Irish actress Ruth Codd. The players have remained collectively useless at rooting out the Traitors and getting rid of them.
And Stephen Fry pointed out that if one more of the Faithful exits – leaving 12 players – the Traitors will make up a quarter of their numbers.
After being voted out at the Round Table, with seven votes, a startled Clare relished her moment of telling them that she was, in fact, a Faithful. Actor Mark Bonnar was so furious he punched the table and said “for F***’s sake” – immediately drawing attention to himself for what others perceived to be over-acting.
Speaking after her banishment, Clare said she’d loved the digital detox while in the castle. “I think my personal highlight was being able to spend quality time with no distractions of phones or anything,” she explained.
The sports TV star, 54, was completely happy to have been a Faithful and, asked what she’d learned about herself, laughed. “I had confirmed what I already knew, which is I am a rather pathetic people pleaser. I’m not suspicious enough – but I’m quite happy being that way. I’d rather live in a world where I trust everyone, where I see good in everyone, and where the world is always bright, shiny and positive. And if that was my downfall, I’m fine with that.”
Ruth, 29, was murdered by the Traitors as part of Jonathan Ross’s audacious double bluff strategy. While rugby ace Joe Marler saw through the Traitor tactic, the chat show host received just the one vote at the round table. But afterwards Celia Imrie, 73, was kicking herself for not voting for him, saying that she’d been distracted by his “deliciousness”. Speaking afterwards Wossy, 64, admitted he had no idea how he was still in the game having had so much suspicion on him. And in the turret, he laughed to the other Traitors Alan Carr and Cat Burns: “It’s like playing chess, but with five-year-olds!”
Ruth, who became a fan favourite for her outspoken style, said that she and Clare had become friends. Admitting they made an “unlikely duo”, she joked: “I kind of look like her goth child that should be a disappointment, but she’s incredibly proud of.” Last night it emerged that the BBC1 opener last week has now been watched by 11.7million after seven days of viewing. The fourth episode will air on Wednesday (22 October) with the ninth and final instalment now scheduled for Thursday 6th November.
Meanwhile Celia Imrie’s funny fart from Wednesday has been hailed as TV gold by fans, as it helped The Celebrity Traitors to a series high of 6.9 million on Wednesday night.
The players howled with laughter when the actress, 73, let rip as host Claudia Winkleman was welcoming them to their latest mission, which she described as the “worst team-building away day experience in history”.
As the other players guffawed and Claudia asked what had happened, The Thursday Murder Club actress piped up: “I just farted Claudia. It’s nerves, but I always own up.”
Afterwards some TV experts suggesting the scene-stealer from Bridget Jones star Celia could be a contender for the next Bafta Memorable Moment award. Fans agreed, with one saying: “Her comic timing was impeccable.
I watched this over and over again and am still laughing. TV moment of the year.” Another called it “the most taboo-breaking moment in TV history”.
In the upcoming Celebrity Traitors episode, after three faithfuls, Niko Omilana, Tom Daley, and Tameka Empson were banished and murdered, tension soars as multiple celebrities face possible elimination and secret plots unfold
TV star and model Vogue Williams has reportedly signed up to this year’s I’m A Celebrity, 10 years after her husband Spencer Matthews was removed from the ITV camp
Vogue Williams will be hoping to do better than Spencer Matthews(Image: BAFTA via Getty Images)
Model and reality TV star Vogue Williams is the latest famous face to be tipped to be heading Down Under for the gruelling Bushtucker trials. She would follow in her husband Spencer Matthew’s footsteps, but would hope to have a very different experience from him.
The Made in Chelsea star was removed from camp after three days back in 2015 because he was taking steroids and didn’t tell producers beforehand. Now, Vogue has been tipped as “one of the most glam signings” in years.
“She is really fun and gets on with everyone, so bosses reckon she will be a hit with viewers,” a source explained. “It has been a hard decision to go on the show, because it will mean so much time away from her kids, but she wants to fight her fears and go for it.”
They added to the Sun: “Spencer is a massive thrillseeker and is always off on an adventure, but now it is Vogue’s turn to have one.” Vogue and Spencer married in 2018, and they share three children together.
She already has experience with tough shows, having won Bear Grylls: Mission Survive. Vogue might not be the only model in camp as it has been rumoured Kelly Brook will appear despite saying she would never do it.
In 2018, Kelly insisted she would never take part in the series. At the time she said: “I can just think of a million things I’d rather do. I’d rather go and work in my local pub.”
She added: “Even if I had a huge tax bill and I had to pay it really urgently, I still wouldn’t do it.” Kelly went as far as saying doing I’m A Celebrity would be the “beginning of the end”.
However, a source told the publication over the weekend that Kelly has signed up. Other famous faces said to be taking on the jungle include Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley and Shona McGarty who quit her role on EastEnders this year.
Rapper Aitch is also reportedly to be on the bill, which would make him the first in 11 years. The musician is best known for his successful career which includes nine Top Ten hits and working with Stormzy and Ed Sheeran.
TV bosses are hoping that the 25-year-old brings a younger generation of fans. Aitch, whose real name is Harry Armstrong, originally comes from New Moston, Manchester and began his career when he was just 15.
But, ITV are yet to confirm a full list of while celebrities will be on the latest series. A spokesman for ITV said: “We do not comment on speculation about I’m A Celebrity contestants.”
But it might not be long before one of them gets their comeuppance, with Alan Carr and Cat Burns seeming to form an alliance against fellow Traitor Jonathan Ross because his name is being mentioned by other players. The pair were seen by viewers plotting to “throw him under the bus” if his streak of having heat on him continues.
As he became the second player to be murdered, Olympic diver Tom Daley admitted he was “so sad” to go. Speaking afterwards, he said he would have fared better as a Traitor because when he and his family play at home he never gets detected in the baddie role, but always gets wrongly accused when he’s a Faithful.
He realised too late that he was being overly forthright with his accusations, with were largely directed at Kate Garraway. “Every time I’ve played as a Faithful, people thought I was a Traitor because I was always trying to figure out who the Traitors were,” he said. “I can perhaps be a little too vocal with my ideas in pursuit of them, which is exactly what has happened here.”
Dad of two Tom, 31, said he felt both “confused” and “disappointed” to go out so early – but questioned the Traitors’ tactics in getting rid of him when there was already heat directed his way.
“It was so sad when I saw the letter on the chair and I instantly knew I’d been murdered,” he explained. “I was very confused about what The Traitors are doing because I clearly would be someone that would get banished at the Round Table. If any of the Traitors just planted that seed, I’m sure I would be banished.
“They could have murdered someone that they know would never have gotten banished at the Round Table. Maybe they thought of me as a threat. Maybe I was getting too close to the right answers.
“I just thought, if I notice something I’m going to say it. However, I must have said a few too many things in front of the wrong people!”
YouTuber and prankster Niko Omilana looked gutted as he became the second Faithful to be selected for banishment at the Round Table, in a plot carefully constructed by the Traitors. He summed up his short time in the castle with the three words: ”Betrayal. Set-up. And loser.”
But he said one positive he was taking away was that he’d overcome his long-held fear of public speaking. “At the table, I was quite nervous when I first started talking, but then as it went on, I felt more confident,” he said. “I’m quite chuffed with that, because I really don’t like public speaking.
“It’s one of my big fears. Seeing everyone staring at me, having to defend myself and really making sure I didn’t go down without a fight. I think I did that. That was something I learned about myself, which I’m happy about.”
And at the end of the show, EastEnders star Tameka Empson suffered the same fate, much to the agony of the remaining Faithfuls in the room. The actress, 48, admitted to finding it all quite tough after the accusations against her were led by actor Mark Bonnar. “I was very emotional,” she confessed once she had left the castle.
“In my mind, I thought, ‘I’m not going out’. I was sad to leave the game, because in this industry you get to know people to a certain point but in this environment, it was really lovely to spend this length of time and really get to know everyone.”
And despite him being a Traitor, she laughed: “Jonathan is a big teddy bear.”
But when he’s not in the public eye, he lives a quiet family life with his husband Dustin Lance Black and their two children.
The star, 31, has been married since 2017 and became a dad for the first time the following year, and has been open about what family life means to him.
“I used to define myself by diving,” the Mirror quoted Tom as saying in 2021. “If I dived well it reflected on me as a person. Now I’m first and foremost a father and husband.” So who is Tom’s husband?
Is Tom Daley married?
Tom first came out to his fans in a YouTube video in December 2013, in which he shared that his “whole world changed” when he fell in love with a man.
He started dating Dustin, who is a screenwriter, director and producer known for movies such as Milk and J Edgar.
Tom told The Guardian earlier this year that the pair met at a dinner in 2013 and that they “talked and talked until we both realised how similar our lives were”.
“He had just lost his brother; I’d lost my dad,” he said of Dustin, who is almost 20 years older than him. “He had just won his Oscar; I had just won an Olympic medal. It was the first time I could complain about success to somebody who knew I wasn’t really complaining about success.”
The couple revealed their engagement in October 2015 with a traditional wedding announcement in The Times.
They tied the knot in 2017 in Dartmoor National Park, with Tom telling fans on Instagram at the time: “On 6th May 2017, I married the love of my life, @dlanceblack.”
Does Tom Daley have any children?
In 2018, the couple welcomed their son via a surrogate and named him Robert ‘Robbie’ Ray, a tribute to Tom’s dad Robert, who died in 2011.
Second son Phoenix was born in 2023, also via a surrogate.
The following year, Tom announced he was retiring from diving, revealing his decision after the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Tearing up in a moving interview with the BBC, he said: “It’s hard to talk about, it’s emotional… I want to be with my family.”
If you are not prepared for it, fame can be downright deadly. Alanis Morissette knows that better than anyone. Thirty years ago, she released her third studio album, “Jagged Little Pill,” which won five Grammys, including album of the year and best rock album, and went on to sell 33 million copies.
So, Morissette has a complicated relationship with fame. Now, she will be examining that and many other dimensions of her incredible three-decade career in a new Vegas residency at Caesars Palace that begins Wednesday and runs until Nov. 2.
As Morissette explained in a wide-ranging talk with The Times, the Vegas show will be much more than a concert. The show will take on a narrative feel that will showcase her humor, improv, wellness and all the other traits that have defined her over the years.
I love that you paired with Carly Simon on the song “Coming Around Again” because I see such a kinship based on you two over generations. There is so much in common between “You’re So Vain” and “You Oughta Know.” Not the least of which is I am sure you are both beyond over being asked, “Who is the song really about?”
Right, because what people don’t understand, and I can’t speak for Carly, but there’s a difference between revenge and revenge fantasy. I’m all about the revenge fantasy and punching pillows and gyrating and sweating and losing your s— in art. And Lord knows I’m unmeasured in other areas day-to-day, too, so it’s not like I’m some paragon of containment, but yeah, just the revenge thing, there’s a lot of schoolyard stuff going on. That’s all I’ll say for the moment.
Obviously, this is 30 years of “Jagged Little Pill.” I remember seeing Bruce Springsteen in ’88, when he did “Born to Run” acoustic. Every night when he introduced it, he would say,“I was thinking about how much that song was me, and how much I don’t want it to be me.” And I thought that was so interesting because, of course, there are songs you want to be you. So, what songs did you want to be you?
Yeah, there are so many songs that I would write about potential. So, I’d be in a relationship, and I would be writing about what I wanted to the point where whomever I may have been dating at the time, if I shared the song with them, sometimes they would say, “Who’s this about? This can’t possibly be about me.” I’m like, “Well, you know what? You’re onto something there. This is about what I wish we could be.” I think about also a song, because I’m working on the Vegas show, so we’re integrating so much. And I think the song “Not the Doctor” is probably one of the ones that I realized the naivety of having written, like, your issues just get away from me. Having been married now for 15 years, I realized that your partner’s challenges, you take each other on — all of it. So, there’s a little bit of knowledge now that makes “Not the Doctor” funny to sing.
And then “Incomplete” is a song that is a manifestation, as you just described, that I would be good. It’s like a prayer manifestation. There’s a song, “Knees of My Bees,” that I wrote about what I wished. In praise of the vulnerable man, it was what I wished. So yes, there’s some composites being made where I take seven people whom I had a similar pattern repeat, and I just lop them all into one song as one person and unify the communication; there’s no holds barred.
Has there been talk about extending the show? It does sound like you are putting a crazy amount of work into a show that right now lasts little more than a week.
For a long time — and a lot of journalists have said, “Yeah, right,” when I say this — but my energy doesn’t go into outcome. Whether the show is seen three times or 300,000 times, that’s not up to me in this moment. I’m creating stories and sharing parts of myself that I have hidden for the ’90s imperative of staying in your lane or it’s career suicide. So, I’m still unlearning that, which is the reductiveness of the ’90s, where you have to stay one thing. Then, well, what is one supposed to do if they have multiple talents or multiple intelligences dying to be expressed? We’re going to contain that so that we can keep the ’90s credo going. So, over the years, it’s just been, can I bring these other aspects of self into the whole expression of me through academia, through movement, through channeling, through live shows, through interviews right now? There are so many ways to express, and the ’90s really did say, “You do it one or two ways; you step out of that and your career is over.” Thank God that messaging is softened.
How have you seen culture and values change over your career?
It used to be “I want to be a millionaire,” and now everyone wants to be a billionaire. It used to be “I want to look 21 forever,” now it’s “I want to look 14 forever.” And then it used to be “I want to have fame as a means to an end for activism.” Now it’s just “I want fame as an end,” so it’s an interesting value system snapshot right now. And so many of us are flying in the face of it, so I’m not really worried about that. But the value system has gotten smaller almost, as though fame in and of itself is going to correct our attachment wounds. It doesn’t work, and I’m constantly raising my hand going, I thought fame would result in this profound sense of community that I’d be amongst my people and we’d be petting each other’s heads by the fire. That was not the case.
I think for anyone who comes out the other side of fame, there has to be a tremendous sense of gratitude that you survive it.
That’s a big piece of this Vegas show without me nailing it on the head or belaboring the point. It’s like, “How are some of us still here?”
How do you express that in the show? And it is interesting given your passion for wellness and mental health, it is in Vegas. Which has never been known for either.
Yeah, Vegas has been known for addiction and gambling, acting out, sexual acting out. What is Vegas known for? “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” It’s been known for that, but I believe that there’s a whole seismic shift going on. I have never underestimated people who come to my shows. Even in workshops, people are like, “Alanis, it’s too much.” And my thought is, “No, it’s not.” People can close their eyes, they can walk out, they can shut the radio off, they can take a break in the cafeteria. Part of why I love that it’s Vegas is that there’s this ceilinglessness in terms of no holds barred again, like I want to wear a boa. You want to do a backflip. Apparently, we’re doing a backflip. What has happened over the years is that again, it was this one-lane push, stay in your lane. And while this was all happening, there were all these other archetypal imperatives getting at me, like what about dancing? What about comedy? What about article writing? What about keynote speaking? What about workshop leading? What about channeling? There are all these other forms of expression that I live for. So, in some ways, I was cultivating them maybe privately. That’s just who I am. And I integrated it into every lyric.
Sinéad [O’Connor] said this perfectly, I don’t know word for word what she said, but the essence was you love the art, but you hate the artist. She said something about, “I appreciate that my audience wants everyone to hear more angry emotions from me through my songs, but then I have to be angry. And no one takes that into consideration.” I was like, “Yeah, because we’re used in the best way possible.” Artists are used as a screen upon which people identify themselves or people find who they are by hating and loving and trolling and attacking and it’s all projection, everything’s f— projection. So yeah, I just think people who are in the public eye have an experience inside of a social construct that is so violently unusual. And there’s no empathy afforded to them for that, other than maybe from people like you and me.
“There are all these other forms of expression that I live for,” says Alanis Morissette. “So, in some ways, I was cultivating them maybe privately. That’s just who I am. And I integrated it into every lyric.”
(Shervin Lainez)
How did you learn to deal with it? Unfortunately for Sinéad, she never was able to handle the fact that people were so hateful toward her, even though it had nothing to do with her.
I know, and basically that is the lack of handbook that is egregious, because so many people who were in the public eye are now physically gone. So much of it is their temperament, and I used to do talks at the neurobiology conferences at UCLA, and I would bring up the idea of temperament needing to be taken into consideration, whether it’s around suicidality or anything. Most artists are highly sensitive empaths. That is a version of neurodivergence over excitability, high-achieving, profound subtle awareness and attunement. All of these qualities that make the sweetest artists. And yet that temperament in a world that is doing what you just described Sinéad receiving, which is projecting hate, hate, hate, hate, hate. There’s no handbook on how to go, “Hey, we’re going to do shadow work here. We’re going to talk about rejection. We’re going to talk about if anyone’s saying anything that brings something up for you, bring it into therapy. Look at that part. Look at what they’re saying.” Also, always from me, look at the opposite. If you’re being invited to look at the part of you that is an a—. Always also look at the part of you that is deeply, deeply kind. For me, that’s the wholeness journey.
Being older, what have you learned about how to deal with all this?
I really do believe, Steve, that I could write a f— handbook now. I feel like if you and I got together, I could write the handbook, and we just hand it out to all the new celebs.
Do you now feel a responsibility to be able to pass your wisdom on to the new generation like Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo?
I feel great passion about it. I happen to be someone who is hilariously conscientious and intensely empathic. I’m always blown away by them, and then I see people like Olivia and I just think, “Oh, everything’s going to be okay. We’re all going to be okay if Olivia exists; we’re good.” [laughs]
What happened to your book?
What’s interesting is I did two years worth of narrative storytelling that we recorded. Initially it was for a memoir, or some version of what was being asked for was a memoir. That’s kind of a hard “no” for me because we’re using all the pieces that feel relevant to this particular story. The reason I didn’t want to do the memoir is ’cause there’s no way to articulate a life. There’s way to articulate snapshots. There’s a way to articulate chapters, maybe. But there’s no way to articulate, like, this is my sentimental life story. It’s not possible. So that’s why songs are so great. It’s like four minutes of a moment. Let’s just keep writing these moments and capturing these moments and that’s what Vegas is for me: a moment.
One of the things I’ve talked about with artists that they love so much about Vegas residency is you get to mix it up night to night. But it sounds like you’re going to have a show, so are you going to be incorporating different stuff or is it going to be more of a narrative story?
Both. For me as an actor, I’ve always enjoyed improv. I love it when there’s a general sense of structure for something, but then go off within it. This is the way I’ve always been, both sides of the brain. I want some structure and predictability and some version of a set list, which we already have. But then within some of the interstitial stuff and the scenes and the comedy and the physicality and the movement, yeah, it’s a movable feast. We’ll see what happens. I am completely out of my wheelhouse publicly, not privately, because I was in improv teams since I was 14. And I think comedy is one of the best forms of activism art, I really do, maybe even above music. So, we’re integrating all these forms of art. And I’m not thinking about any outcome. It’s really amazing to write a record, write a song, write an email, frankly, with no agenda. The agenda is just “let’s express ourselves.” And that’s plenty.
Do you feel like you’re having more fun now at this point in your career than any other point?
I have the most fun with collaborating. So, I can’t say this is any more fun, but I can say that there’s more people. So, in the past, it’s been me alone writing or me and my bestie writing or me and Glen [Ballard] writing. So, in some ways it was insulated, isolated and with the musical and with Vegas, let’s multiply those collaborators by at least five. What I’ve said a few times, and I still stand by it, is that for me, the happiest place is in this communal “can’t swing a dirty sock without hitting a master” kind of environment, and it is truly six plus six is a thousand for us.
Do you feel like, as you’re getting older, people are embracing you more?
Yeah, I make more sense. There was a period of time where I didn’t make any sense and perhaps there wasn’t that much resonance. And then 25, 30 years later, I feel like I’m starting to make sense to the world in a way that I didn’t expect to happen. I just always thought, “Oh, I’ll be on that smallest part of the bell-shaped curve forever and I’ll probably be kind of lonely there. And that’s just what it is in this lifetime.” But here I am 30 years later and I’m starting to get a sense that what I’ve been talking about this whole time is resonant for people. And I can’t tell you how healing that is for me.
The Celebrity Traitors made its way to our screens after months of speculation and hype and, among the 6.5 million viewers to tune in this week, was Prince William
03:19, 11 Oct 2025Updated 03:29, 11 Oct 2025
The Celebrity Traitors features an all-star cast ready to play the ultimate game of deceit and betrayal(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/Artwork – BBC Creative)
Guards had to stop The Celebrity Traitors stars sneaking between bedrooms at the hotel at which they stayed, it has emerged.
But the personalities did not get the VIP treatment. During filming, the stars had to stay at a £80-per-night Courtyard by Marriott hotel near an airport, which remained open to the public. The celebrities, which also included Alan Carr and Clare Balding, were only allowed out at certain times for cigarette breaks and short walks, it has emerged.
The guards kept close eyes on the contestants at the hotel, the same one used in the non-celebrity version of the BBC programme, and they weren’t even allowed to go, alone, to visit other stars in their rooms.
The titular “Traitors” must work together to eliminate the other contestants to win a grand prize, while the remaining contestants become “Faithful” and are tasked to discover and banish the “Traitors” by voting them out to win the prize. Knowledge gathered only be succeeding in tasks during the show will help the teams achieve these goals.
And the production team ensured they maintained the same tough rules for the household names as they had done for the non-famous counterparts in the original show, much to the “shock” of some stars.
“They must have had a shock, some of them would never have stayed anywhere that s*** before, it was hardly salubrious,” one source told the Daily Mail today, days after the first episode of the series aired.
Celebrity Traitors: First look teaser trailer
The series was filmed over three weeks in May and, while tasks were often held in the famous castle, none of the contestants got to stay in the building – and had to make do with the hotel near Inverness Airport. Celebs were put on one floor and a lockdown-style curfew was imposed. Mobiles were confiscated and a “production phone” was issued for emergencies, it is reported today. The same source continued: “There was to be no social media, just old-fashioned phone calls.”
It is thought the BBC ensured transmission of the programme was quick – less than five months after filming – to avoid any leaks. The VIPs have been paid the same flat rate for their time – unlike the civilian version, for which contestants get a small stipend to subsidise time away from work.
Some friendships have already become strained. It has now emerged Alan Carr, for instance, “murdered” his good friend Paloma Faith in episode two by rubbing poison lily on her face. Faith said: “If the shoe was on the other foot, I would not have touched Alan’s face.”
The next episode of The Celebrity Traitors is on Wednesday on BBC One at 9pm.
Singer Paloma Faith was ‘fuming’ after finding out her close pal Alan Carr was responsible for sealing her fate, along with fellow Traitors Cat Burns and Jonathan Ross
Paloma had no idea she was being murdered when Alan brushed the hair from her face(Image: BBC)
Paloma Faith “threw a wobbly” over being the first in The Celebrity Traitors to be thrown out the castle, sources have revealed.
Last night viewers saw the singer, 44, have her fate sealed when the lid on her coffin was slammed shut during the mission and she was physically carried out of the game.
But off camera, Paloma was said to have been “fuming” over her murder, especially when she discovered that the three Traitors who’d killed her off were people she felt close to. One source said: “She threw a wobbly afterwards about being the first to go.
“Some players just shrug it off when they leave, but Paloma was fuming when she discovered who had betrayed her. She couldn’t work out what had actually happened, and when she found out the details it only made her feel worse. Paloma is loud and wears her heart on her sleeve – it’s fair to say that she wasn’t happy with going home first.”
As well as being close to comedian Alan Carr, the chart-topper also felt let down by Cat Burns, because she’s on the same record label, and Jonathan Ross, because she has known him for years and appeared on his chat show.
Speaking afterwards, Paloma described the experience as having been “up and down”. She explained: “I found it quite nerve wracking because I knew when I went in that I have a huge personality and that I’d be very visible.
“I knew that I couldn’t fade into the background. I’m the sort of person that lets my feelings about people be known by talking a lot, so it was never an option for me to be able to quietly just simmer under the surface.”
And she quipped: “I don’t think my technique was great in this game, but it works very well in real life.” Saying she’d have made a great Traitor, she added: “I feel like it was a big fashion mistake not to see me in the cloak.”
Asked who she’d like to see triumph in the game, Paloma snubbed the Traitors, saying: “I’d like to see someone kind and strategic win like Nick Mohammed. He’s proof you can be kind, considerate and clever to play the game well – you don’t have to be evil.”
On last night’s show, viewers saw Alan commit the murder in plain sight by brushing some hair from his pal’s cheek during a chat in the kitchen.
He went for Paloma in the poison pollen plot after she’d told him cosily: “I definitely trust you.” But after the killing, he admitted: “I feel awful. I didn’t know what else to do! I’ve gone and murdered one of my best friends.”
Alan, 49, also told the cameras that carrying out the murder had challenged him: “It was a stretch fo my acting ability – I don’t know how Meryl Streep does it.”
But when Alan spoke of his guilt to fellow Traitors Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns, he was told to “toughen up” after claiming that killing her off “broke my heart”. Wossy insisted: “You’re not a bad person – you’re a good Traitor. I don’t want to hear any more of this broken heart nonsense. We’ve got to start enjoying this.”
Later, there was confusion when all 19 of the group arrived for breakfast. Not realising she was a dead woman walking because of the slow-working poison, Paloma said she felt “happy and relieved” adding: “I thought thank goodness not to be the first one dead.”
And even after Claudia revealed that the Traitors had murdered in plain sight, she had no idea she was the victim, saying: “I had so few interactions yesterday that I don’t feel that I was got.”
During the mission, the group had to try and work out who had actually been murdered. When Paloma found herself lying in a coffin alongside comic Lucy Beaumont and online prankster Niko Omilana, she told the group: “I think it’s me.” Afterwards, Stephen Fry sighed sadly: “Oh Paloma, you were right.”
Weeping during her exit interview, she said: “I thought I wasn’t going to get emotional but I feel really sad. It’s been really a wonderful experience – I wish it had been longer.”
The BBC1 series kicked off with a huge audience of 6.1million and continues next Wednesday, with the result of the first banishment revealed.
CELEBRITY Traitors fans have been left in disbelief, as Alan Carr gave away a huge clue that he’s a traitor.
The first ever all star edition of the BBC programme kicked off last night as fans saw Claudia Winkleman chose her THREE celebrity traitors to play the game.
4
Celebrity Traitors fans have been left in disbelief, as Alan Carr gave away a huge clue that he’s a traitorCredit: BBC
4
Viewers of the show have had their doubts about Alan’s ability as a traitorCredit: BBC
4
Jonathan said he might have to have a word with Alan after the winkCredit: BBC
Comedian Alan alongside TV presenter Jonathan Ross and singer and Brit nominee Cat Burns were chosen to be the devilish three to cause mayhem in the game.
This sentiment was highlighted even more during Thursday evening’s episode, as Alan winked at Jonathan after committing the first murder.
After wondering around in a mild panic, he eventually headed into the kitchen with his friend Paloma Faith and actress Ruth Codd.
Read More on Celeb Traitors
He committed the deadly act before heading down to the fire outside with other celebrities and winking at Jonathan to let him know he had fulfilled the brief.
He also said in another very telling move: “It’s done,” while subtly trying to let Jonathan know that he’d committed the murder.
Fans took to X to share their shock at Alan’s wink and ‘it’s done’ statement.
One person penned: “Oh wow, Alan has to be the worst traitor to have ever existed.”
Another questioned: “Did he really just wink at Jonathan?” while a third said: “Absolutely howling. As if Alan just winked at Jonathan in front of everyone.”
Celebrity Traitors fans left shocked by Alan Carr’s first victim as he commits murder in plain sight
A fourth person penned: “Oh Alan, talk about making it obvious.”
And someone else quipped: “I’m in disbelief at Alan as a traitor so far. He’s making Linda look like James Bond.”
Later in the turret, Jonathan and Cat asked him who he had chosen, and Alan revealed he had been forced to pick his friend Paloma.
The Traitors viewers were shocked that Alan had betrayed his pal, with one writing on X: “Noooooo Alan! Not Paloma!”
Another added: “Paloma girl. You was GOT.”
A third commented: “I cannot believe Paloma Faith is going to be dead by the end of the day…”
After committing the murder, all the celebrities turned up to breakfast, before Claudia arrived and told them to get ready for a funeral.
The celebrities than joined the procession before arriving at three coffins.
They were then given clues to work out which three celebrities the Traitors had put in the coffins.
It ended up being Lucy Beaumont, Paloma and Niko Omilana.
Claudia then walked the line and dramatically closed the lid on Paloma, leaving the remaining celebrities absolutely gobsmacked.
4
Paloma Faith became the show’s first victimCredit: BBC
Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed is one of the famous faces trying to track down swindling stars on Celebrity Traitors…
Nick Mohammed and wife Becka have three children(Image: WireImage)
Celebrity Traitors star Nick Mohammed made an instant impact on the BBC hit from the get-go, easily solving a fiendishly difficult puzzle in the manner of a man who does five Rubik’s Cubes before breakfast.
Fans of his character Mr Swallow might not be surprised – the comic character is able to memorise a pack of playing cards and Ted Lasso star Nick has said the maths and recall stunts he does are “real and legit” explaining that he learnt them himself.
“My eldest son has an eidetic memory, which is essentially photographic, but mine is good too,” he told the Sunday Post in 2023, speaking about the feats that have gone viral after appearances on the likes of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown that left Rob Beckett and Jimmy Carr speechless.
Nick, 45, who was the scheming Nathan in Ted Lasso, studied Geophysics – essentially a study of the Earth – at Durham, having turned down the chance to attend the equally-prestigious University of Cambridge, and played violin in the orchestra. He paid his way through university doing magic at summer balls, parties and weddings.
The funnyman doesn’t say much about his private life, but it is known that he met his wife Becka, who is a teacher, way back in his student days at Durham. The couple tied the knot in 2014, with Nick announcing: “Got married last weekend, this is my niece’s impression of the events,” before adding: “WHAT IS GOING ON NEAR MY WIFE’S CROTCH?””
They have three children together, and their eldest, Finn, appeared alongside him on an episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. In an interview with The Guardian, Nick was asked about the ‘funniest person’ he knows. In a heartwarming reply, he said: “My wife. Pretty much every day she’ll say something that makes me roar with laughter (which I’ll then secretly write down).”
During his time at Durham, Nick and Becka performed together in the orchestra, though he didn’t make it into the Durham Revue, so he explored the comedy circuit before moving on to study at Cambridge. There, he became part of their renowned Footlights troupe.
It was at this point that he created Mr Swallow, basing the character on his secondary school English teacher. Nick’s alter-ego has brought him considerable success, and he has refined it across stage and screen throughout the years. Additional television recognition came through regular roles in Sorry, I’ve Got No Head, Drifters and Cuckoo.
However, it was Ted Lasso that catapulted him to worldwide stardom, where he appeared alongside the likes of Hannah Waddingham and Jason Sudeikis in the Apple+ comedy. When discussing the possibility of another series, he commented: “Everyone has said if there’s an idea that feels good, we would be all up for it. I would personally go back in a heartbeat!”.
Despite not pursuing music as his primary career, he has still managed to indulge in his love for it. Last year, he hosted the BBC Proms, and fans of Ted Lasso will remember that, portraying his character Nathan Shelley, he genuinely played the violin as the scriptwriters incorporated his particular talent into the storyline.
At the time, he explained that his wife also played a role, saying: “This ep of Ted Lasso is special for lots of reasons… but mostly because it’s my *incredible* wife playing the piano to Arvo Pärt’s ‘Spiegel im Spiegel’ with me on my old violin from home. The piece was Jason’s idea: literally translates as ‘mirror in mirror.”
Before going into Celebrity Traitors – where he has been picked as a Faithful – he admitted he didn’t have a game plan, saying: “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. In conversation with BeyondTheJoke, he continued: “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!”
However, Nick has one genuine concern about the whole situation. He confessed: “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.”
The Celebrity Traitors returns to BBC One tonight at 9pm
Celebrity Traitors has kicked off as Claudia Winkleman returns to host a line-up of famous faces including Jonathan Ross, Alan Carr, Stephen Fry, Kate Garraway, Tom Daley and more
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Claudia Winkleman has returned to host the Traitors and Faithfuls(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
The highly-anticipated Celebrity Traitors has finally kicked off this week, with Claudia Winkleman returning to the Scottish Highlands to pit traitors versus faithfuls for a potential £100,000 prize pot for charity.
The Traitors‘ castle has become an iconic location thanks to its picture-perfect landscaped gardens, huge grounds, breathtaking library, living room and even its own bar. It’s therefore not surprising that fans always clamour to find out if they can hire it out for a holiday with their friends and recreate their own Traitors experience.
The real-life location is Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, around half an hour’s drive north of Inverness.
Unfortunately before you rush to book a room at the beautiful 19th century spot, it’s not a hotel. However, it can be hired for the likes of weddings or corporate events. The landmark’s website is quite clear: “The estate is located in Ross-shire and is available for exclusive use hire for both corporate and private clients. The Castle is not a hotel and we do not let individual rooms.”
If you do hire it, don’t expect to find the infamous Roundtable Room; the whole set-up with the table and atmospheric decor is for the show.
It’s not hugely surprising; even during the show, the Traitors and Faithfuls themselves don’t sleep on the property but instead get whisked away to a nearby hotel, as Ardross Castle wouldn’t have enough rooms to accommodate all of the participants. (Although they do of course travel back to have breakfast in that gorgeous dining room, even if those breakfasts can get very tense).
Don’t be disheartened if you were picturing a fun weekend in a castle for a big group holiday; there are plenty of other castles across the UK which are open for bookings. Sykes Holiday Cottages, the Landmark Trust, Host Unusual and Big House Experience all have a variety of castle listings that cater to a wide array of budgets and group sizes.
It appears that The Traitors has caused quite a boost of tourism in Scotland, with increased searches for stays in the areas. Chris Ross, Chief Brand Officer & EMEA Executive Chair at Collinson International, said of the trend: “We’ve seen a remarkable uplift in visits to our Scottish airport lounges, and it’s clear that The Traitors has played a major role in putting Scotland, and especially the Highlands, firmly on travellers’ wish lists.
“Our data shows fans are turning their on-screen fascination into real-world adventures, with more travellers than ever flying to Scotland to experience the drama, beauty and intrigue for themselves. Scotland’s moment in the spotlight really is translating into a tourism boom.”
Ruth Codd, who is in this year’s The Celebrity Traitors on BBC One alongside 18 other stars, wants to raise awareness about amputations following a horrific injury
23:49, 08 Oct 2025Updated 23:52, 08 Oct 2025
Ruth Codd is pictured on The Celebrity Traitors(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
The star’s candid interview, which has resurfaced following her appearance in the new series last night, details why Ruth, now 29, had her right leg amputated below the knee. The actress had injured her foot playing football when she was 15 and, in around 2019, she suffered further complications which led to the surgery.
Ruth, from Wexford, Ireland, said she made the decision to help relieve the pain and gain more control over her life. Ruth has learned in the subsequent years to use a prosthetic leg, she told the Irish Examiner. This interview from 2022 has resurfaced today following interest on Ruth and her injury.
She said: “My injury is the greatest challenge I’ve faced in my life so far. I injured it playing soccer at the age of 15. It never healed correctly so until I was 23, I was on and off crutches, getting loads of operations. Because of nerve damage and chronic pain, I chose to get it amputated. It took eight years of my life, constantly going in and out of hospital.
“My whole life revolved around trying to heal my leg. For years, I didn’t see it getting any better. I was stuck in a really bad mindset and I was pissed off at life. When I made the decision to amputate it, things finally started to turn around. It was a relief. I could get on my life.”
In The Celebrity Traitors, Ruth and 18 other stars compete to prove themselves as either a Faithful or a Traitor. The other celebs include actor and broadcaster Sir Stephen Fry and Olympian Tom Daley.
Ruth, who portrayed Anya in the Netflix thriller series The Midnight Club, previously spoke of her delight to partake in the show. Her enthusiasm was mirrored by the BBC unscripted director Syeda Irtizaali, who said of the show in the summer: “It was a real pleasure to cast this series. I think where we started with was we wanted to have a really broad range of people, obviously, but we also wanted people that were real fans of the show, that really understood it.
“I was worried about it; I was worried about how they were going to play it compared to members of the public, but we have nothing to worry about. They really play the game, and some of the things that you’ll see them doing are extraordinary; that’s all I’m going to say. It’s well worth the wait.”
Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, The Celebrity Traitors will air on Wednesdays on BBC One and iPlayer.
