Miranda Hart says taking part in Celebrity Traitors will be 'challenging' on her body as she lives with the 'invisible' effects of ME

She is making her television comeback on one of the most physically and mentally demanding reality shows.

And Miranda Hart has admitted that taking part in Celebrity Traitors will be ‘challenging on her body’, as she continues to live with the 'invisible' effects of ME.

In her 2024 autobiography, the comedian, 53, who was also diagnosed with Lyme Disease, recounted her three-decade health battle that 'left her bedbound and without joy'.

But the actress, best known for her BBC sitcom Miranda, has now reached a point where she feels ready to return to work - and believes Celebrity Traitors was the perfect opportunity.

‘I haven't done much TV work for a long time, having only recently come out of long-term ill health issues, and when I was offered this, my whole body sort of relaxed, I smiled, and I just wanted to jump about like a schoolgirl with joy,’ she said.

However, in an interview with the BBC, which took place before entering the famous Scottish castle, Miranda says she still experiences fatigue and pain caused by her chronic illness.

Miranda Hart has said that taking part in Celebrity Traitors will be 'challenging' on her body as she lives with the 'invisible' effects of ME

Following her diagnosis, the 53-year-old actress, best known for her BBC sitcom Miranda, has now reached a point where she feels ready to return to work - and believes Celebrity Traitors was the perfect opportunity.

‘I'm still living with elements of ME, and that brings fatigue and pain to manage, but I have come to a point where I feel well enough to step out, and that's also partly why I'm doing this,’ she explained.

‘The joy of mucking about on television again will hopefully outweigh some of the challenges. And I think it will be challenging on my body, so it'll be interesting, and it'll take some courage as this is a big next step.

‘When you live with a chronic illness, it's invisible, so people don't know that you're sitting there in pain. But then it reminds you that everybody's got their thing.

‘So, I'm also really looking forward to making friends and looking after each other and hopefully they can carry me up a hill or whatever we're going to have to do!’

It took medics 33 years to discover Miranda had been battling the bacterial infection Lyme Disease, after initially mislabelling her as being agoraphobic - an anxiety disorder characterised by symptoms of anxiety in situations.

The star then shared that she was also diagnosed with ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome.

As a result, she has remained for the most part out of the spotlight over the past five years, with her TV appearances limited to guest spots on chat shows and Comic Relief.

Elsewhere, Miranda revealed that fans have challenged her to ‘gallop’ through the castle - a nod to the iconic trademark of her legendary sitcom character.

The Celebrity Traitors starts on Thursday, October 1 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

She said: ‘When someone said on Instagram, "Oh, I hope you gallop in the castle,” I foolishly replied, "Right, I now take that as a dare.” So that was idiotic of me.

‘I will have to at some point gallop down a corridor. I’ll gallop when no one’s watching…or who would be the best person to encourage to gallop? I don't know. I mean, Kenny probably doesn't even know who I am. So, if I could get him to gallop… I could get a new generation galloping.'

Miranda was joined by her rarely seen husband Richard Fairs, 60, in Scotland while filming the hit BBC show.

The couple, who tied the knot in October 2024, landed at Inverness airport in a private jet.

Joining Ms Hart and host Claudia Winkleman in the Scottish Highlands are Amol Rajan, Bella Ramsey, James Acaster, James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Joanne McNally, Joe Lycett, Julie Hesmondhalgh, King Kenny and Leigh-Anne Pinnock.

Maya Jama, Michael Sheen, Myha'la, Professor Hannah Fry, Richard E. Grant, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Ross Kemp, Sebastian Croft and Sharon Rooney complete the line-up.

They will play the ultimate game of detection, trust and betrayal in the hope of winning a cash prize up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice.

The Celebrity Traitors starts on Thursday, October 1 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The Celebrity Traitors line-up 2026

 Jerry Hall

Jerry Hall rose to fame in the 1970s and became one of the era's most recognisable fashion icons (pictured in October) 

Richard E. Grant

Richard E. Grant celebrated for his roles in everything from cult classic Withnail & I to modern flicks such as Everybody's Talking About Jamie (Pictured in November) 

 James Blunt

James Blunt shot to global fame with his debut album and the hit single 'You're Beautiful'

 Ross Kemp

Ross Kemp who recently returned to EastEnders to reprise his role as hardman Grant Mitchell, is said to be wanting to 'challenge himself'

 Michael Sheen

Michael Sheen is celebrated for his incredible performances across stage and screen, particularly his work in Good Omens and The Queen

 Rob Beckett

Best friend of fellow Traitors star Romesh, Rob Beckett is known for his high-energy and booming laugh

 Sharon Rooney

Sharon Rooney is best known for her breakout role as Rae Earl in the acclaimed series My Mad Fat Diary

 Joanne McNally

Joanne McNally is known for her brutally honest humour and hilarious takes on dating, chaos, and modern life

 Amol Rajan

Journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan has carved out a successful career across major UK media, including radio and television

 King Kenny

King Kenny, whose real name is Kenny Ojuederie, is a content creator known for prank videos and street-style social experiments

 Sebastian Croft

Sebastian Croft is best known for his breakout role as Ben Hope in the Netflix series Heartstopper

  Maya Jama

Maya Jama, 31, is quickly becoming one of the UK's most popular stars and famously fronts Love Island.

 Miranda Hart

Miranda Hart broke through with her hit sitcom Miranda which became a resounding success and cemented her as a comedy legend

Romesh Ranganathan

Romesh Ranganathan has been taking British TV by storm in recent years is known for his deadpan delivery

 James Acaster

James Acaster is good friends with Ed Gamble who hosts The Traitors: Uncloaked. The duo present the hit food podcast Off Menu with Ed Gamble

 Bella Ramsey

Bella Ramsey rose to fame as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and gained global acclaim for their leading role in The Last Of Us

 Leigh-Anne Pinnock

Leigh-Anne Pinnock is known as a member of the girl group Little Mix, who found fame on The X Factor back in 2011

 Joe Lycett

From headline-grabbing TV stunts to cleverly staged public pranks, Joe Lycett has built a reputation as one of Britain's most inventive and unpredictable comics

 Hannah Fry

Mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry is known for turning complex data into content which is engaging and accessible to viewers

 Julie Hesmondhalgh

Julie Hesmondhalgh is best known for her long-running role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, which made history as the first transgender character in a British soap opera

 Myha'la

Myha'la is known for her striking portrayal of brutal fintech expert Harper Stern in the HBO drama Industry