Celebrity Traitors 2026 premiere: BBC show reveals the Traitors, and all the drama from episode 1

The Celebrity Traitors is officially back for season 2 as a host of 21 celebrities convened in the solemn setting of a church for a first, nerve-racking meeting – as the BBC series finally revealed Faithfuls and Traitors.

Tonight's premiere kicked off with a spectacular entrance from the one and only Claudia Winkleman. Some masked pallbearers brought a coffin along the aisle, carefully posing it to ground to reveal a sleepy Claudia waking up from her slumber.

"That was quite the nap," she declared as she welcomed the stars to the Traitors Chapel.

Related: Best streaming services UK 2026 – including Disney Plus, Netflix, iPlayer and Apple TV

Claudia had a task for the players, asking them to choose "the most trustworthy" contestant amongst them. The gang picked Julie Hesmondhalgh, with Claudia gifting her two shields.

"I have two very special objects for you. Not one, but two," Claudia declared, explaining that the shields protected whoever had them from the first murder.

Julie kept one and gave the other to Joe Lycett as the group headed to the castle for the first round table of the season.

Claudia had private conversations with each contestant ahead of the big decision, with players trying to steer her decision.

Love Island host Maya Jama said she relied on her "welcoming energy" to conceal she had "murder on [her] mind" and Romesh Ranganathan said he had "indifferent resting face", the first tense moment in a long series began.

As usual, Claudia asked everyone to put on blindfolds before she proceeded to tap two players on the shoulder – Maya and Oscar nominee Richard E Grant.

Maya had her wish granted as she stated her "villain era" had begun. Meanwhile, Richard said he was "absolutely thrilled" and couldn't wait to "murder".

In full Traitors fashion, Claudia left the players to mull over her decision with a twist. There would be no murder tonight, but the Traitors line-up wasn't yet complete.

"It will be, though, by the time the Traitors claim their first victim," she said.

More to follow as we cover the premiere...

The Celebrity Traitors airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.

The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton's life, is here. Buy Dolly in newsagents or online.

Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).