Celebrity Traitors 2026: Who is taking part and who is the favourite to win?

Allow Exco Player contentThis content is provided by Exco Player and may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to load the content.

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and theatre ticket deals

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Celebrity Traitors returns to BBC screens this week, with 21 famous faces heading to the Scottish Highlands for a second series of secret missions, deception and betrayal.

The BBC reality hit returns on Thursday, October 1, with Claudia Winkleman back in charge as a new group of actors, comedians, musicians, broadcasters and TV presenters enter the castle.

The celebrity version of The Traitors follows the same format as the original series, with contestants secretly divided into Traitors and Faithfuls.

The BBC reality hit returns on Thursday, October 1, with Claudia Winkleman back in chargePA WireWhile the Traitors attempt to remain undetected as they “murder” contestants from the game each night, the Faithfuls must work out who is lying before they are picked off.

There is also a cash prize of up to £100,000 for the winner’s chosen charity.

The second series features a star-studded line-up, including actors, comedians, musicians and some of Britain’s best-known TV personalities.

Irish comedian and podcaster Joanne McNally is entering the castle after making a name for herself with her stand-up shows, podcasts and TV appearances.

Joanne McNally is among several comedians taking part in The Celebrity TraitorsPA ArchiveShe is one of the most recognisable comedians in the cast and has been priced among the early favourites to win.

Welsh actor Michael Sheen is best known for roles in films and TV shows including Frost/Nixon, Good Omens and The Queen.

Actor Michael Sheen is swapping the screen for the Scottish HighlandsPA ArchiveThe acclaimed actor is another of the celebrities bookmakers have placed towards the front of the market.

Singer-songwriter James Blunt is swapping the stage for the castle after finding fame with hits including You’re Beautiful and Goodbye My Lover.

Singer James Blunt is hoping his humour can help him survive the gamePA ArchiveKnown for his outspoken sense of humour and social media presence, Blunt will be hoping his personality does not make him too obvious a target.

Actor Bella Ramsey rose to international fame playing Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us, having previously appeared as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones.

Ramsey will appear in the upcoming series PAThe actor joins a cast featuring several other major names from the worlds of film and television.

TV presenter and broadcaster Maya Jama is among the biggest names in the line-up.

Presenter Maya Jama is taking on the ultimate game of deceptionGettyThe Love Island host has also presented shows including Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star and BBC Radio 1 programmes.

Comedian James Acaster is known for his stand-up career, Taskmaster appearances and distinctive deadpan style.

Comedian James Acaster is heading into the castleGettyHe will now have to put his ability to read a room to the test as he attempts to work out who can be trusted.

Comedian and presenter Joe Lycett is another familiar face joining the castle.

Joe Lycett is known for his comedy, television work and public stuntsPAKnown for his comedy, television work and elaborate public stunts, Lycett will be attempting to navigate the game’s alliances and betrayals.

Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh is best known for playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street.

Hesmondhalgh is best known for playing Hayley Cropper in CorriePA WireShe has since appeared in a number of acclaimed television dramas, including Broadchurch and Happy Valley.

Scottish actress Sharon Rooney is known for roles in My Mad Fat Diary and Barbie, as well as her work across television and film.

Rooney is known for her leading role in My Mad Fat DiaryGettyShe will be representing the acting contingent as the celebrities attempt to spot the Traitors among them.

Model and actress Jerry Hall is one of the most internationally recognisable names in the cast.

Model and actress Jerry Hall is among the famous faces taking partBBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/BBC CreativeShe has enjoyed a long career in fashion, television and entertainment and will now be taking on one of reality TV’s most deceptive games.

Mathematician and broadcaster Professor Hannah Fry brings a very different skill set to the castle.

Fry is a mathematician and broadcaster known for making complex science accessiblePA WireShe is known for making mathematics and science accessible through television, books and podcasts.

Former Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock is joining the series after establishing herself as a solo artist and television personality.

Pinnock recently walked the DI PETSA LFW runwayGettyPinnock has also made headlines with her acting work and documentary projects since Little Mix went on hiatus.

Comedian and actress Miranda Hart is best known for her hit BBC sitcom Miranda, as well as appearances in Call the Midwife and films including Spy.

Miranda Hart is one of 21 stars taking part in the new seriesPA ArchiveHer comedic timing could prove useful around the round table, where contestants must decide who they believe is lying.

Comedian, presenter and writer Romesh Ranganathan has become one of the most familiar faces on British television.

Ranganathan is a comedian and presenter known for The Romesh Ranhanathan Show podcast PA ArchiveHe hosts shows including The Romesh Ranhanathan Show podcast and The Weakest Link and is known for his dry style of humour.

Comedian and presenter Rob Beckett is another familiar face entering the castle.

Rob Beckett is a comedian and presenter who co-hosts the Parenting Hell podcastGettyHe has appeared on numerous comedy and entertainment shows and co-hosts the popular Parenting Hell podcast with Josh Widdicombe.

Actor and presenter Ross Kemp is best known for playing Grant Mitchell in EastEnders before moving into documentary-making and television presenting.

Kemp is best known for playing Grant Mitchell in EastEnders PA ArchiveHis experience interviewing people and uncovering stories could make him an interesting player in the castle.

Oscar-nominated actor Richard E Grant brings decades of experience in film and television to the competition.

Grant is an Oscar-nominated actor known for Withnail & I and Can You Ever Forgive Me?PA ArchiveHis credits include Withnail & I, Can You Ever Forgive Me? and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Actor Sebastian Croft is best known for playing Ben Hope in Netflix’s Heartstopper.

Heartstopper star Sebastian Croft is among the 21 contestantsGettyHe has also appeared in films and television projects including Horrible Histories: The Movie.

Broadcaster Amol Rajan is known for his work on BBC television and radio, including presenting the Today programme.

BBC broadcaster Amol Rajan is putting his interviewing skills to the testBBCThe journalist and presenter will have to put his interviewing instincts to use if he wants to identify the Traitors.

American actor Myha’la is known for roles in Industry, Bodies Bodies Bodies and Leave the World Behind.

Myha’la joins the international contingent of the castGettyShe joins the international contingent of the cast for the second celebrity series.

YouTuber and boxer King Kenny, whose real name is Kenny Ojuederie, is one of the younger stars entering the castle.

YouTuber and boxer King Kenny is entering the castleGettyHe rose to fame through YouTube before moving into boxing and influencer entertainment.

With the cast now confirmed, bookmakers have already priced up the celebrities in the winner market.

According to the latest odds from the Online Betting Guide (OLBG), comedian Joanne McNally and actor Michael Sheen are joint favourites at 6/1.

James Blunt follows at 13/2, while Bella Ramsey is priced at 7/1 and Maya Jama at 8/1.

James Acaster, Joe Lycett and Julie Hesmondhalgh are all priced at 9/1.

Here are the current Celebrity Traitors Series 2 winner odds:

The odds are subject to change once the series gets under way, particularly as viewers discover which celebrities have been secretly chosen as Traitors.

Celebrity Traitors returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Thursday, October 1 at 8pm.

The opening episode will be extra-long, with the series then airing twice a week on Thursday and Friday evenings.

The celebrity edition follows the huge success of the first series, which saw Alan Carr crowned the winner after secretly playing as a Traitor.

Carr made it all the way to the final without having his true identity uncovered and walked away with £87,500 for his chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK.

Now, with 21 new celebrities preparing to enter the castle, viewers will have to wait until Thursday to discover which of them Claudia Winkleman has secretly chosen to become Traitors.