Scottish

JOANNE McNally has revealed the regimental methods used to remove banished players from The Celebrity Traitors castle.

Asked by Vogue Williams on their podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, Joanne explained precisely what happens once they are asked to leave the round table.

“When you leave, what happens? You just left and go home?” asked Vogue.

“So you get off the podium, they rush you out the side door and you’re bundled into a van like Whitney Houston in the Bodyguard,” Joanne explained. “You have a little backpack there, it’s like an emergency backpack in the castle at all times so that if it’s the night that you do go you have your essentials.

“And then you’re taken to a different hotel.”

Joanne – who was banished on the penultimate episode of the second season of The Celebrity Traitors, after the other players wrongfully accused her of conspiring against the Faithful – explained that she was then sent back to the castle the next day.

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“You actually have a full day’s work to do in the castle because you have to do all your B-shots and there was a video of me in the bath, so it’s all that stuff and your final interviews.

“I always wondered why in the castle if you needed to go to the bathroom or anything it’s this big kind of production.

“It’s because they have to make sure the castle is clear and there’s not people who’ve been banished the night before because they were in the castle doing all their extra last bits of work.

“So they were making sure no one crossed paths. It’s such a huge production and they run it so military!”

Meanwhile, co-star James Acaster has revealed the moment he “should have walked out” of the show before filming was halted.

The comedian left viewers shocked in the penultimate episode when he changed the whole game by outing himself as a Traitor in a tense round table – after Michael Sheen pointed the finger at him and Maya Jama.

James’ shock admission that he was a Celebrity Traitor on the show left him so distraught filming was halted.

Welfare staff checked on the comic before the Round Table vote but he crumbled as Faithful Michael Sheen finally ­rumbled him — forcing producers to step in.

Now, James has revealed that he had considered quitting the castle even earlier in the series, when the celebs took part in a mission that forced them to be buried alive in coffins.

James shared that he was “really scared” during the coffin mission and should have gotten out then.

He told Far Out Magazine: “I was lying there thinking, actually, I think I’m really scared of this. As soon as the soil was heaped on top, Bella did say, ‘Imagine if they can’t get us out.”

During the mission, Jerry Hall decided to quit the mission, and James said: “She didn’t like it. She didn’t like, well, none of us liked it. 

“I respect Jerry the most because Jerry just went, ‘I’m not doing this.’ Like, are you kidding me? And the rest of us were just like, ‘We want to win Traitors in our coffins, idiots.’

“We should have just done what – as soon as I heard Jerry got out, I should have said to Bella, ‘I’m getting out, forget it.’ If it’s a free-for-all now, we should all get out. They can’t stop us all. We could all do it.”

Hearts were one of the major stories of European football last season when they came within minutes of being the first non-Old Firm side to win the league since 1985.

Wouter Vrancken’s new-look team have made a strong start as they sit third, eight points behind Celtic and four behind Rangers despite a big summer rebuild and the Belgian implementing a new style of play which he has described as “organised chaos”.

They have certainly delivered on that – as only Celtic have scored more goals, and Hearts are a formidable opponent at Tynecastle where they are unbeaten in the league since April 2025, a run of 26 games.

Beatings have been handed out to Dundee United and St Mirren already in Gorgie.

Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at home to Rangers should have been a victory for Hearts which brought them closer to the top two – but ultimately their injury-ravaged squad was exposed late on and they remain closer to Dundee in fourth.

Those key injuries, while juggling European football, plus an unconvincing away record which included a 7-1 clobbering at Celtic Park, means Hearts might struggle to hang on to the pace set by the Old Firm.

Despite Celtic supporters being wholly unconvinced by their team, they are on course to reach over 90 points this season, having won the title with 82 last season, the lowest tally since 2017-18.

Likewise Rangers have doubters among their own, but they and their rivals are in the top two positions of a lot of key performance metrics.

Whether it’s expected goals for and against, shots on target per game, chances created, Celtic and Rangers are comfortably in the top two positions and are the only sides conceding fewer than one goal per game on average.

As they should be, given their financial advantages, and with Rangers not playing in European football this season they should be extra rested and focused on domestic duty.

The first tentative steps to end the 3pm television blackout in the UK have been taken by Scottish football as it seeks offers for the next broadcast cycle.

The SPFL has said that it is “flexible about the number of games” that will form part of the new deal, which will kick in from the 2029-30 season.

BBC Sport understands this includes the possibility that broadcasters could bid to show all matches live – including those shown on a Saturday afternoon.

The SPFL has created a tender with the greatest flexibility on the basis that the broadcaster does not seek to impose Article 48 of the Uefa Statutes.

Article 48 allows leagues to set specific times when matches are banned from being shown live on television. It can only be enforced when 50% of matches in a country’s top two divisions are played at the same time.

While other parts of Europe have experimented with a blackout, it is now only present in the UK between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on a Saturday.

Other leagues now tend to stagger kick-off times so the top divisions do not all play at the same time, meaning the blackout could not be applied.

In the UK, 3pm remains the traditional, default kick-off time for all leagues from the very top down through non-league.

It was introduced due to fears that televised games at 3pm could affect attendances, not just at the clubs involved but at those down the divisions too.

But as streaming has grown in popularity, critics have argued that it hinders the ability of clubs to exploit this revenue stream.

This is especially the case in the lower levels, which have had to adhere to the blackout and not show any of their games online.

In August, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters indicated the direction of travel was to end the blackout, but any decision would be 18 months away and taken in consultation with the EFL and the FA.

The upcoming broadcast cycle provides a unique opportunity for all leagues to come together and reach a consensus, as the rights deals for the Premier League, EFL and SPFL all end in 2028-29.

While the possibility to take all games is on the table in Scotland, it is by no means certain the option will be taken up.

Under the current terms, Sky Sports can show up to 60 Premiership matches a season, with Premier Sports showing up to 22.

In total, there are 228 games in the top flight, meaning only 36% of matches are shown live under the current broadcast deal.

The tender allows broadcasters to present any proposition for live coverage they see fit.

Any decision would then be up to the Premiership’s 12 member clubs, with eight votes required to approve a deal.

Clubs could potentially opt to reject an offer which would include the Saturday 3pm games.

Scotland ending the 3pm blackout would not automatically mean English, Welsh and Northern Irish football follows suit.

Dundee United are emerging as one of the stories of the season as Jim Goodwin’s side continue to thrive following a radical change in style from their manager.

As a coach, and certainly as a player, expansive, continental-inspired football was never really something associated with Goodwin, a Scottish football veteran who has been part of the furniture for more than 16 years.

But the former Aberdeen and St Mirren boss has said he has taken inspiration from Jens Berthel Askou’s work at Motherwell last season to reshape himself, and his side are lighting up the league after overcoming a difficult start.

An exhilarating 3-2 victory over Aberdeen in chaotic weather at Tannadice extended United’s unbeaten run to five matches, moving them up to fourth.

Now they face the Premiership’s acid test: a trip to Celtic Park.

Goodwin has got the better of the champions in two of his past three encounters with them, but both of those victories came at Tannadice last season.

Staggeringly, Celtic are unbeaten in 51 home games against United in all competitions since a 1-0 league defeat in December 1992.

Goodwin will be wary of the way Martin O’Neill’s men dismantled a bold Hearts side at Parkhead last time out, but the reinvented Irishman is urging his players to embrace a trip to the venue where his life in the Scottish game began.

OUR new Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see, do and enjoy in your favourite holiday hotspots.

This week we are discovering the delights of Scotland‘s Isle of Arran with recommendations from Graham Omand, manager at the Lagg Distillery.

MUST SEE/DO

Graham says: “I have to mention a visit to Lagg Distillery, a place I’ve been calling home for the past six years. Not only is it a modern architectural masterpiece, it is the home of Lagg Single Malt.

“Along with multiple tours and tastings options, there’s also a shop full of bespoke items and gifts, and a cafe with views that stretch from Ailsa Craig to Northern Ireland.

“There’s no better place to fall in love with peated whisky and learn about the local rich distilling history.”

HIDDEN GEM

“It is impossible to visit the island without admiring its picturesque coastal villages,” says Graham.

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“Enjoy a drink in Corrie while looking at seals or sunbathing on the beach.

“Or grab a bite to eat in Lamlash while staring at the majestic Holy Isle at sunset. Or go for a wander around Lochranza Castle spotting otters playing on the rocks and deer roaming the hills. Magical.”

BEST VIEW

Graham says: “Arran is a walker’s paradise. You could choose the classic Goatfell, the highest mountain we have on the island, or other famous walks like the one to King’s Cave, to Machrie Moor standing stones, the many Glens and more.

“Expect breathtaking panoramic views, wildlife encounters and unforgettable memories.”

RATED RESTAURANT

“There are so many restaurants, pop-up cafes, food vans and more that offer modern and classic dishes with local produce such as venison or seafood,” says Graham.

“The Mara Fish Bar & Deli in Corrie does amazing seafood platters with fantastic views to enjoy.

“There is also the Blackwater Bakehouse & The Bread Shed for fresh bread and croissants.

“The Corrie Hotel is also great for lunch and dinner. And don’t miss the chance for a scoop at Arran Ice Cream.”

BEST BAR

Of course, Graham recommends the Lagg Distillery for a tipple or two with tours and tastings from 10.30am to 4.30pm, Tuesdays to Sundays.

Also worth a visit is the Douglas Hotel, which Graham says has some of the best views of Goatfell mountain. 

HOTEL PICK

Tucked away on the west coast of the island, the Kinloch Hotel has 22 rooms as well as self-catering apartments, many with stunning sea views.

The family owned property promises a peaceful retreat.

The restaurant offers hearty local cuisine including a seafood platter with local fish, Highland venison sausages as well as island treats such as Arran Dairies ice cream and Wooleys oat cakes.

After a day exploring, go for a relaxing dip in the indoor pool or enjoy a sauna. Rooms cost £135, based on two sharing. See kinloch-arran.com.

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With our feet strapped into boots atop skis with wheels, coach Logan advises us to glide just like him.

Our wobbly attempts at roller-skiing aren’t great, so we soon move on to cross-country skiing on the dry-slope matting instead, where my husband Eamon and our sons Samuel, 12, and Joseph, 11, and I do actually glide.

We’ve booked a family session at Huntly Nordic And Outdoor Centre, which ends with us all flinging ourselves, whooping and screaming, down a slope on rubber rings.

It’s a fun way to experience the Scottish hills. Three-hour activity sessions cost £18.15 per adult, £12.15 per child (Livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk).

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ESTATE OF MIND

After all the exhilaration, it’s time to check into our two-bedroom cottage on the elegant Mayen Estate.

With a classy colour palette, the cosiest stove and a beautiful ”box bed” in the master, plus a fire pit and hot tub in the garden, Butlers Cottage is a gorgeous hideaway.

We task the boys with rolling out dough and sprinkling on the cheese and salami from our pre-ordered pizza kit, from £21, before popping it in the outdoor pizza oven as the sun starts to wane.

The next morning, we wake to the sound of Highland cows nearby, before taking a peaceful riverside stroll along the Deveron and exploring Mayen’s stunning two-acre Walled Gardens, open exclusively to holiday guests for £20 per cottage.

It’s August, so everything is in full bloom as we wander through walkways of lavender, white lilies and glorious glasshouses.

Huntly is also home to a cinema, castle, shortbread factory and swimming pool, but we head to scenic Greenmyres Lochan for Canadian canoeing and standup paddleboarding, £28 per person for an hour and a half.

Jumping in and swimming is a valid option, too, as my youngest discovers (Huntlydt.org/what-we-do/greenmyres).

After peeling off our wetsuits, we reward ourselves with a Sunday roast at The Bank Cafe & Restaurant.

Here, choose your carvery meat and three sides, such as sticky red cabbage and macaroni cheese, for just £15, or seven sides for £21 (Thebankrestauranthuntly.com).

Buttery orange biscuits from Dean’s Shortbread, £2.49 (Deans.co.uk) and Irn Bru ice cream, £3 a scoop, from long-standing Rizza’s wrap up our day nicely (Rizzas.co.uk).

While Butlers Cottage is set amid rolling hills, the golden sands of Banff Bay are only half an hour away.

After wandering along the shoreline, we warm up with hot chocolate, £4.50, and a dainty Victoria sponge tower, £3.40, at Annie’s Cakery (Facebook.com/anniescakery7).

Housed in the town’s former railway station, AKA The Platform, there’s a lovely homeware and fashion shop, too (Theplatform-macduff.co.uk).

Also close by is Portsoy, famous for its salmon. After learning more about the local catch at the free Salmon Bothy museum (Salmonbothy.org), we buy flavoursome smoked fillets, £4 each, from Messrs J Smith at the historic harbour to cook later, before hitting Spey Bay’s free Scottish Dolphin Centre, half an hour away (Dolphincentre.whales.org).

There are binoculars for trying to spot the bay’s resident 200 bottlenose dolphins and the chance to listen to recordings of their calls.

The local dolphins are considered the world’s “chubbiest”, thanks to their extra layers for keeping warm in the chilly waters.

We’re alright though, we have a hot tub to return to. . .