Jonathan Ross

The Faithfuls have finally banished a Traitor, as Jonathan Ross was voted out – but the twists aren’t over as the Celebrity Traitors finale draws near

The Celebrity Traitors has been packed with twists and turns so far, and though the show is nearing its end, those plot twists are far from over. A dramatic double twist has already been revealed for the penultimate episode.

The hit BBC series is set to conclude on 6 November. Ahead of that episode, Claudia Winkleman revealed two twists that would shake things up for the celebs. It comes just after the Faithfuls finally managed to nab a Traitor and sent Jonathan Ross home.

As the Faithfuls celebrated their victory, Claudia rained on their parade by revealing that, at the next roundtable, banished players would not tell the remaining group if they were Faithful or a Traitor. “After tomorrow, the banished players will not reveal their true identity,” Claudia warned.

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This is not the only twist. Claudia also revealed to the remaining Traitors, Alan Carr and Cat Burns, that they had to murder in plain sight that evening. In letters read by each deceitful player, Claudia said: “Traitors, tonight there will be no secret meeting in the turret. Instead you must murder in plain sight at tonight’s dinner.

“To do this one Traitor must toast the player you want to murder while saying the words ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow’ followed by their name. You must do this before the night is over.”

Alan has already killed in plain sight, having murdered his friend Paloma Faith by touching her face after touching a ‘poisoned’ plant. In a quiet discussion, Cat and Alan agreed that he would be the one to kill again, as Cat wasn’t very convincing when she tried to say it.

Cat suggested that Alan pretend to quote recently banished Stephen Fry whilst delivering the phrase, which is from Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.

In an aside, Alan joked that he always had to do the Traitors “dirty work”. He said: “I have to do all the dirty work for these traitors. I’m surprised they don’t have me up in that turret with a hoover doing some light dusting. Why is it always me?”

The episode also saw Jonathan Ross head home. He was the first Traitor caught on the show and was voted out by six people, including both Cat and Alan. In fact, all bar two people voted for Jonathan, with the outliers being him and David Olusoga. David voted for Nick Mohammed.

Jonathan’s exit speech, dubbed “ridiculous” by Joe Marler, kept the other Faithfuls on their toes. He said: “I’ve got no idea what everyone is doing wrong.

“I cannot believe you’ve done it again. I can’t believe I’m standing here for no good reason so I don’t want to be rude but you’re idiots. But I am not judging because it’s fiendish.

“I’m not blaming the players, I’m blaming the game. I am now and have always been throughout the game completely faithful… to the Traitors!”

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Celebrity Traitors star Jonathan Ross has landed himself in hot water with show bosses after spilling behind the scenes secrets but is hasn’t stopped him revealing more

Jonathan Ross can’t stop revealing Celebrity Traitors secrets as he spilled on an unseen moment despite bosses issuing a warning. The chat show host has been decieving his fellow celebrities on the hit BBC murder mystery show as a Traitor.

He has been working alongside Cat Burns and Alan Carr, killing off the Faithfuls while trying to remain undetected. Jonathan has so far been successful in keeping his true identity under wraps.

However, he has now revealed he actually let slip he was a Traitor in a moment that didn’t make the final edit. In a shocking confession, Jonathan revealed: “It’s nerve-wracking watching it for me.

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“The round tables, of course, because a lot of stuff is edited out and I’m not allowed to talk about the stuff that’s edited out, which I can understand why.

“When I started talking about it last week, they sent us all a kind of list saying, ‘Just to remind you, these are the things in your contracts you’re not allowed to talk about.’

“So I’ll skirt around it as much as possible and not break any rules. But there’s a fairly comprehensive list, and most of it I can see is to protect the integrity of the game as a viewing experience for people, so it makes perfect sense.”

Jonathan confessed he didn’t think he played the fame well, while Clare Balding was approaching it “cleverly”. He added: “She – I think – had figured me out quite clearly and more so than actually appeared on the screen.

“On the Uncloaked episode where she sees it’s my name, she goes ‘oh I was going to go for him last night’ – because I’d actually said something to her the night before which I think made her think it was me.

“And that wasn’t in the show because it didn’t lead to the roundtable but I think she was fairly confident it was me.” He added on his podcast with daughter Honey: “So you can imagine how delighted I was when she put Charlotte’s name down.

“She was doing it smart, because she knew she didn’t have enough people to support my claim yet and ‘if I say him and he is a Traitor, he may well murder me, so I’ll do this and then maybe keep me closer and get rid of me the next time’.”

Despite Jonahtan’s slip up with Clare, he has remained undetected by his fellow co-stars. On spin-off, Uncloacked, Stephen Fry was convinced 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 relationship?! Alan Carr, I don’t believe it! Two big dogs, and one small Cat!”

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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

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.

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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.

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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

Celebrity Traitors stars Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns could be set for fiery scenes in the upcoming episode of the hit BBC show.

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.”

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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.

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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

Veteran actress Celia Imrie told Jonathan Ross she has “a bit of a crush” on him during last night’s Celebrity Traitors.

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.

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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.

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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.”

Until Imrie’s confession, none of the Traitors – Ross, Alan Carr, and Cat Burns – had really even been suspected – but is their time running out and are the Faithfuls finally onto them?

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.”

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

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.

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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”.

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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 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.”

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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.

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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

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.

Famous faces including Jonathan Ross, Alan Carr, Stephen Fry, Kate Garraway, Tom Daley, Charlotte Church, Clare Balding, Cat Burns, Paloma Faith and more have headed to the now iconic castle, where they will need to use their wits to figure out who amongst them are the selected traitors.

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.”

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Claudia Winkleman is hosting The Celebrity Traitors with 19 famous faces all trying to win £100,000 for their chosen charity – but Claudia isn’t her usual bubbly self

Nineteen huge stars are taking part in The Celebrity Traitors – but all eyes will be on Claudia Winkleman’s fierce fashion choices. Wearing faux fur coats, structured layers and statement knitwear, Claudia has honed a look that’s all her own, and reinvented

it for the celebrity version. “It’s absolutely nuts,” says Claudia. “Unhinged in taffeta was where we went.”

Alan Carr, Cat Burns, Celia Imrie, Charlotte Church, Clare Balding, David Olusoga, Joe Marler, Joe Wilkinson, Jonathan Ross, Kate Garraway, Lucy Beaumont, Mark Bonnar, Nick Mohammed, Niko Omilana, Paloma Faith, Ruth Codd, Stephen Fry, Tameka Empson and Tom Daley are all signed up for the gothic game show, each vying to win £100,000 for their chosen charity.

It’s the spin-off fans have been begging for – but at first Strictly host Claudia was against the idea of yet another celebrity format. “I was scared,” she admits. “Only because I’m in love with this show and I wanted to keep it small. Once a year or maybe once every two years felt like enough. My bosses, thank goodness, ignored everything I said.”

When she saw the calibre of celebrity queuing up to play traitors and faithfuls, even Claudia had to agree the show was a good idea. Working with Stephen Fry was a dream come true for Claudia and bearded comic Joe Wilkinson left her especially starstruck. “I could barely breathe when I saw them all in the Highlands. I’m such a fan of every single one of them,” shares Claudia, 53.

“The whole team were just in awe, it was hard not to scream, ‘You’re here!’ When I talked to Stephen Fry I almost welled up, I told him this was my dream. We’re incredibly lucky to have the cast that we have. Each one of them is tremendous. My family and I are obsessed with Joe Wilkinson, I had to stop myself getting his autograph for my son.”

Claudia oversees the games on the show but admits she finds it a challenge not to get too chummy with the players. “The biggest challenge was being strict,” says Claudia. “All I wanted to do was chat and be friendly but my role is aloof and grumpy. I found it hard not to just sit down with them and have a cup of tea.”

And she finds the urge to help them with the missions overwhelming. “Sometimes I try and drop big clues, but my producer tells me off,” Claudia confesses.

To help her maintain her distance from the stars, Claudia channels two classic villains. “[I’m] Cruella de Vil with a touch of Miss Trunchbull!” she laughs.

Hosting such a huge show is a dream come true for Claudia, but she admits she found the celebrity version tougher than the main show. “It was scarier, because all I wanted to do was chat to them and make them like me,” she says. “But of course, I have to be extremely unlikeable. It was tricky!”

Claudia can’t praise the celebrity contestants enough for the energy they put into the show. “They’re incredibly smart and kind,” she says. “They play the game beautifully and were fully engulfed in it. It was an extraordinary experience and we’re so so lucky this 19 said yes. It’s something we never take for granted and are so grateful for.”

TV presenter Holly Willoughby is reportedly plotting a bold primetime comeback with husband Dan Baldwin’s backing, aiming to reinvent herself as TV’s next big solo host

Holly Willoughby is said to be quietly preparing the next phase of her career, with husband Dan Baldwin stepping in to help steer the plans. After some time away from the spotlight, the couple are said to be putting together a strategy that could mark her biggest return yet.

Sources claim Holly’s aim is nothing less than a primetime slot, with the ambition to rival the likes of Graham Norton and Jonathan Ross. “Anyone who has written Holly off has another thing coming,” an insider revealed.

“She’s never been more determined. The next move is going to be spectacular, and Dan is her secret weapon.”

The former This Morning presenter, 44, who met Baldwin through work back in 2004, has faced a turbulent few years both personally and professionally. Her career slowed after she left daytime TV in 2023, while Baldwin went on to notch up a string of successes, including the reboot of Gladiators.

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That difference reportedly caused some tension, but the pair are now firmly aligned, determined to re-establish Holly as one of Britain’s biggest presenters.

“She and Dan both know she has what it takes to go solo in a primetime evening slot, and they plan to make her the biggest female presenter in the UK again. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with,” the source added to The Sun.

Holly has reportedly already been reaching out for advice and is said to have been quietly reconnecting with close friends such as Emma Bunton, Christine Lampard, and former Celebrity Juice co-star Fearne Cotton.

She has also recently been pictured alongside a strong circle of showbiz pals including Christine, Myleene Klass, and Spice Girls Nicole and Natalie Appleton.

Her break from television followed a deeply traumatic period. Gavin Plumb, who plotted to abduct and murder her, was later jailed for at least 16 years.

Holly then withdrew from public life to focus on her family – Harry, 16, Belle, 14, and Chester, 10 – and only dipped back into screens with Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt alongside Bear Grylls, which was sadly axed after one season.

Now, with her children older and more independent, she is said to be considering a return on her own terms.

“This isn’t a new thing – Holly has always had ambitions way beyond the This Morning sofa,” the insider explained. “She can see herself being the first big female primetime chat show host – a bit like a female Jonathan Ross. She’s 45 next year and she’s ready to go solo.”

Willoughby has always been most visible as part of a presenting duo, particularly with Phillip Schofield, but her focus now is on standing alone. She wants the top guests, the best slot, and the chance to finally carve out her own space in evening television.

The Mirror has approached Holly’s representatives for comment on this story.

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Vanessa Feltz quit This Morning in March this year after 33 years to launch her own rival show on Channel 5

Vanessa Feltz has had the last laugh after quitting This Morning. Her Channel 5 lunchtime show has been extended by bosses. While her former colleagues at ITV are facing brutal spending cuts with the budget for shows and staff, Vanessa has been granted more time on air.

The talk show Vanessa was originally planned to air for “six months”, but now the TV presenter has confirmed the programme will run for “eight months at least”.

Vanessa, 63, told the new issue of Woman’s Own magazine: “We’ve just had an extension.

“We were commissioned for six months, but we’re running about eight months at least, there’ll be a Christmas break, and then we’re very much hoping to come back in the new year. We’re thrilled.”

The show – which sees Vanessa have straight-talking discussions on relationships, parenting, gossip, fashion, and other topics with celebrity guests – launched in March.

However, one show that month only raked in 83,000 viewers – a big contrast to rival, ITV’s Loose Women, which drew in 686,000 people.

And it has been reported that bosses at Channel 5 were thinking of ways to “revamp” Vanessa to attract more viewers.

A TV Insider claimed to the magazine: “Bosses have been locked in crisis talks and have been planning ways to immediately revamp the programme if there is to be a chance that it could be saved.”

The show also raised attention when it became the centre of an Ofcom storm after guest Karen Millen said that feeding children past six months breast milk was ‘weird‘ and selfish.’ The designer’s comments led to more than 2000 people complaining with Millen apologising for her comments.

However, Vanessa is proving popular as the show took home the prestigious Talk Show gong at the National Reality TV Awards on July 30 – beating the likes of BBC’s The Graham Norton Show and ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show.

Reacting to the award, Vanessa told London Beautiful Life Media: “I’m beside myself!”

Asked if she expected to win, the TV star continued: “Definitely not – you must be joking! The show’s only been going since the last week of March, it’s only July!

“And we’re up against all the greats – Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross, Alan Titchmarsh, absolutely everybody! So I was not. I was thinking – I had this knot in my stomach of nerves, and I was trying to give myself a sharp talking to like, ‘Don’t be silly, absolutely don’t stand a chance, the show’s brand-new, we’re never going to,’ and then here it is, we did!

“So, it’s one of those extraordinary moments. I’m shaking, and I’m thrilled to bits, and it’s lovely for the team, and it’s lovely for me, and it’s lovely for the audience. And I’m just delighted.”

Vanessa quit This Morning after 33 years in March this year.

Vanessa told the Daily Star newspaper: “I’ve been on ‘ This Morning ‘ since 1992. It’s been a long time . But I’m now doing my own show and I can’t do both.”

As she made her announcement, Vanessa praised the presenters and crew on This Morning for being “so lovely” about her decision.

She added: “When I told everyone I wouldn’t be able to do the show anymore, they were lovely about it. I heard from Alison Hammond and Holly Willoughby immediately and the bosses were charming. I’ll miss working with them all.”