The Celebrity Traitors' Ed Gamble ranks 2026 contestants as he promises a "wildly different game"

When comedian Ed Gamble signed on to host The Traitors’ spin-off TV show and podcast Uncloaked in early 2024, he couldn’t have known a celebrity edition was in the works. But if he has any regrets about now being the only famous person in Britain who can never, ever play the game – alongside main series host Claudia Winkleman, of course – he’s hiding it well.

“You know what? I might once have thought, ‘Yes, I regret taking the hosting role, because I love the game so much, and I’d love to be in there,’” he muses. “But the more I get to be part of this from afar, and the more I get to see behind-the-scenes every year, I think I’ve got the sweetest job.”

Though perhaps it stings a little more this year, with the new all-star cast including many of his comedy mates, particularly longtime partner-in-crime James Acaster.

“I was most excited this year to see James, because he’s a dear friend and a constant colleague,” Gamble says. “But also, to see Miranda Hart back on TV, and in that castle...

“I just think this combination of people has obviously never been seen before on television. Where else are you going to see Amol Rajan and Richard E Grant in something together?”

The first series of Celebrity Traitors was a ratings smash and a pop culture juggernaut, with Alan Carr’s win the talk of the nation for weeks. So, can this second attempt live up to the heights of the first?

“Well, with The Traitors, if you put a different cast in the game, things are going to be very different,” Gamble says. “I think you can expect a wildly different game. I’m sure the producers will have twists and surprises. And with the shadow of series one being so good, I think this cast will come to play.”

But which stars will triumph in the turret, or be routed at the round tables? Here are Ed’s predictions for how this year’s cast will fare in the castle...

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Ratings

Amol Rajan – Journalist, broadcaster

“Amol is obviously a hugely intelligent man, and incredibly incisive. He knows how to ask questions. He knows how to get to the heart of the matter. All signs point to him being potentially a very good Faithful, or a very good Traitor. Can we do three-and-a-half daggers for Amol?”

Bella Ramsey – Actor

“Bella is brilliant in The Last of Us, but I don’t think we’ve seen much of them as themselves. I’ve met Bella and they were very funny, but also quiet and subtle. So, an unknown quantity in the game. I’m going two-and-a-half – and that’s not a bad score. That’s saying ‘we don’t know yet’’.”

James Acaster – Comedian, podcaster

“James absolutely loves the show, and will think tactically. We’ve had long conversations about how people have done things in series past, and what he would do differently. This is a tricky one for me because as his friend, I really want to give him nought daggers... but I’ll give him three-and-a-half.”

James Blunt – Singer/songwriter

“Obviously he’s a great musician and very, very funny online. And he has a military background, which might come in handy for some of the more physical elements. But I’m going to give Blunty two daggers, only because he just seems too nice to handle the show.”

Jerry Hall – Model, actor

“I mean, it’s so funny that Jerry Hall is going to be in the Traitors castle. Obviously she’s an icon. Will she be good at the game? I mean, I couldn’t banish Jerry Hall whether I thought she was a traitor or not. Four daggers because she’s Jerry Hall, and she’s a legend.”

Joanne McNally – Comedian

“Joanne is a friend. We worked together on TLC show Unacceptable, coming back for series 2 soon – and put that in, in full, that part. Joanne is absolute chaos, which worked well for Alan Carr. On that basis, three-and-a-half daggers.”

Joe Lycett – Comedian

“Joe is phenomenally smart, phenomenally funny. But he has a mischievous streak he might need to quell. Sometimes this game is about going under the radar, and I’ve never known Joe Lycett to go under the radar. So I’m going to say one-and-a-half daggers. I’m so sorry, Joe.”

Julie Hesmondhalgh – Actor

“Julie is an absolutely amazing actor and a national treasure. Hayley Cropper is part of my childhood. But I don’t know her that well as a person, and so I don’t know how tactical she is in terms of social deduction games. She’s an unknown – so I’m going to go two-and-a-half daggers.”

King Kenny – Content creator

“As an old man, I can’t claim to know much of Kenny’s work, but I know he’s a massive YouTuber and boxer. He seems smart. But last series, Niko Omilana was the first to go, and I wonder if there was a subtle fear of new media from the legacy celebrities. I’m going to go with three daggers – a cop-out.”

Leigh-Anne Pinnock – Singer/songwriter

“I also can’t pretend to be well-versed in the world of pop, but I understand that Leigh-Anne is extremely famous and well-loved. Being able to get on with everyone is a good tool, so I’ll give her four daggers.”

Maya Jama – Broadcaster, entrepreneur

“Again, I’ve not really worked with Maya, but she is an amazing presenter. I think she could probably steer a conversation well as she’s a good communicator. So Maya is another one who could possibly play either a Faithful or a Traitor. I’m going to give her three-and-a-half daggers.”

Michael Sheen – Actor, presenter

“Michael will command a lot of respect in the castle as he’s obviously a great orator. On the other hand, his gregariousness and dramatic tendencies might actually get him in trouble early on. For now, I’m going to put four daggers on Michael Sheen.”

Miranda Hart – Actor, author

“Obviously Miranda’s so funny, and she’s so lovely as well. People think they know her from her show, where she’s an extremely funny, heart-warming character, but who’s also not a threat. I’m going to give Miranda four-and-a-half daggers, because I think people will love her in there.”

Myha’la – Actor

“I’m a huge fan of Myha’la’s work – I love Industry – but some people might not be as familiar with it. That could be a disadvantage at round tables, if people feel easier getting rid of someone they don’t know. Let’s say two-and-a-half daggers.”

Professor Hannah Fry – Broadcaster, mathematician

“Mega-smart, but known to be mega-smart – there’s Professor in her name. Being intelligent is an asset, but it’s also a bit of a target on your back. The Traitors do tend to get rid of smart people as quickly as possible. I’m going to give her four daggers.”

Richard E Grant – Actor, author

“Such a charming, magnetic man, and one of the biggest national treasures in there. I feel like he’s a bit like Stephen Fry last year, in that people will be bowled over to meet him and get sucked into his orbit, which could be very, very helpful. Four-and-a-half daggers.”

Rob Beckett – Comedian, presenter

“Rob Beckett, even in terms of comedians, is one of the most naturally funny people I’ve ever met. What you see on stage and on TV is very much what you get in real life. But I just don’t think he can keep his mouth shut, so I’ll give him one dagger.”

Romesh Ranganathan – Comedian, presenter

“Will Romesh enjoy the game? This is the worry. If you did get a smile from him, you’d think, ‘He’s got to be a Traitor’. I’ll give him two daggers – I think he’ll just grump his way out of the game somehow.”

Ross Kemp – Actor, presenter

“Everything Ross Kemp says is either interesting or makes me laugh. A total EastEnders legend, who goes and investigates gangs abroad. I can’t wait to see him on missions. I can’t wait to see him at the round table. I’m giving Ross four-and-a-half daggers.”

Sebastian Croft – Musician, actor

“He seems like a charming young lad. Actors in this game are sometimes at an advantage, because they’re good at reading human behaviour, but also at a disadvantage because people seem to think that acting makes you good at lying. So, people might be suspicious of him. I’ll give him three daggers.”

Sharon Rooney – Actor

“Again, the actor dilemma. Will people be suspicious because of the acting background? We don’t know. But I feel like she’s got a trustworthy feeling to her. Sharon is also very straight-talking, from what I’ve seen, and very funny. I’m going to give Sharon three-and-a-half daggers.”

Ed’s final verdict

“No one gets the full five this year – if I give full marks, I’m saying ‘I expect them to get to the endgame’, and to be honest I don’t know who will get to the final round table.“ Except Claudia, who always gets to the end and is the true winner of every series. Five daggers for Claudia.”

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