The Celebrity Traitors, the highly anticipated celebrity spin-off of BBC’s smash-hit reality series The Traitors, premiered on October 8, 2025, and it’s already living up to the hype. Hosted by the inimitable Claudia Winkleman, this glamorous twist on the psychological game of trust and betrayal features 19 famous faces battling it out in the Scottish Highlands for charity—up to £120,000 for their chosen causes. If you’re searching for “celebrity traitors reviews” to decide if it’s worth your Wednesday/Thursday night slot, this roundup pulls together critic scores, standout moments, viewer reactions, and social buzz. Spoiler-free where possible, but fair warning: We’ve got the tea on episode one’s cliffhanger.
What Is The Celebrity Traitors? A Quick Show Primer
For the uninitiated, The Traitors pits “Faithfuls” against secret “Traitors” in a castle filled with missions, murders (by envelope), and banishments at the Round Table. Traitors sabotage from the shadows to steal the prize pot, while Faithfuls vote them out. The celebrity edition amps up the star power with contestants like Alan Carr, Stephen Fry, Clare Balding, Tom Daley, Charlotte Church, Jonathan Ross, Kate Garraway, and Joe Marler. Episode one kicked off with blindfolded arrivals, a grave-digging shield hunt, and Winkleman’s dramatic Traitor selection—leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. New twist: The first “murder” happens in plain sight tonight (October 9).
Episode 1 Breakdown: Key Moments and Twists
The opener clocked in at a brisk hour, blending campy tension with genuine laughs. Highlights include:
- The Arrival: Celebs arrive in luxury coaches, quipping about their preconceptions—Jonathan Ross jokes about “preconceived notions” of his fellow players.
- Shield Mission: Contestants dig through mock graves for protective shields. Chaos ensues as Nick Mohammed emerges as a “puzzle ninja,” and Clare Balding’s near-sabotage sparks suspicion (Tom Daley calls it out immediately).
- Traitor Reveal: Winkleman selects three backstabbers in a dimly lit turret to a moody “Wonderwall” cover. Their first task? A visible murder via black lily—revealed tonight.
- Round Table Tease: No full banishment yet, but early alliances form, like Charlotte Church trading shields in a heart-melting moment dubbed “the last pure moment in history” by one critic.
The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Alan Carr’s nervous sweating stealing the show—he compares himself to season 3’s infamous “Linda” after a near-slip-up.
| Contestant | Role Tease | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Carr | Traitor | Sweats through his reveal; viewers call him “worth the licence fee.” |
| Cat Burns | Traitor | Neurodivergent singer-songwriter eyeing the “mystery” of deception. |
| Jonathan Ross | Traitor | Prefers being a Traitor for the “fun” of it. |
| Clare Balding | Faithful? | Accused of sabotage in mission one. |
| Stephen Fry | Faithful? | Loves his books more than the game—hilariously out of place. |
| Tom Daley | Faithful? | Quick to spot shady plays. |
Critic Reviews: From 5-Star Raves to Cautious Cheers
Early reviews are overwhelmingly positive, praising the show’s faithful formula with elevated star wattage. Critics note it avoids the pitfalls of lesser celeb reality fare (no recycled Love Island stars here) while adding fresh dynamics—like charity motivation softening the backstabbing.
- Daily Mail (Christopher Stevens): 5/5 stars. “Claudia’s Celebrity Traitors fight for the best prize of all—more screen time.” Calls the lineup “more stellar than any reality show ever,” with celebs so eager to be Traitors they’d “literally kill” for it.
- The Independent: 4/5 stars. “It’s still the camp and menacing show we know and love—with a stonking all-star cast.” Highlights Alan Carr’s “sweat-drenched, awkward” Traitor debut as the highlight, and the “celebrity outdoor pursuits holiday” vibe.
- The Guardian: 4/5 stars. “This star-packed bonanza is all you’ll be able to care about.” Loves the “essential elements” (Winkleman cloaks, boots, sleeves) and a “pure” Church-Mohammed moment.
- iNews: 5/5 stars. “I hated the idea of The Celebrity Traitors. But it’s incredible.” Admits initial skepticism but declares it “even better than the original” due to game contestants.
- The Telegraph: 4/5 stars. “Hilarious and addictive, but lacks some of the original’s drama.” Alan Carr is the “stand-out star,” though the VIP gloss slightly mutes intensity.
- The Evening Standard: 4/5 stars. “The ultimate celeb-humbling exercise.” Revels in watching stars like Fry “scrabble around desperately in the dirt.”
- BBC News: No score, but “it works.” Notes the high-caliber cast and heated Round Tables ahead.
- Financial Times: Positive, no score. “A starry cast keeps the back-stabbing alive… as watchable as ever.”
- Irish Independent: 4/5 stars. “Every bit as much devious fun as the regular version.”
- IMDb User Reviews: Early average ~8/10. One calls it “Exciting – Tense – Intriguing,” praising the “brilliant twist” of celeb perceptions.
Consensus: 4.5/5 average. It’s addictive telly, but some worry celeb politeness might curb the savagery—though Winkleman teases “they’re polite, but they want to catch the Traitors.”
Viewer Reactions: Social Media Buzz and Reddit Threads
Viewers are hooked, flooding X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit with memes, predictions, and Carr love. Charity angle adds heart, reducing “personal gain” greed.
- X Highlights:
- @Telegraph: “Lord knows how Alan Carr will get through… without yelling: ‘Oh, gawd. Yes, it’s me!'” (12 likes).
- @Independent: Shares review calling it “camp and menacing” (multiple reposts).
- @WalkiesF85215: “Wow thoughts on the 3 traitors?? … Claire Balding don’t lock in an answer ?? Star 🌟 #CelebrityTraitorsUK” (real-time squeals).
- @higglestars: “Wow we just watched… all I can say Claire Balding ooh dear !! #CelebrityTraitorsUK.”
- @DMCTV7620: Shares a couple’s YouTube review, hyping the “great start.”
- Reddit (r/TheTraitors): 33 votes, 202 comments on premiere thread. Fans say: “Claudia practically dancing… makes such a difference that they’re playing for charity.” “Most… are very established celebrities… not trying to build their careers.” Predictions fly—Clare as early suspect, Alan as fan fave.
Live blogs like Express.co.uk note viewers “working out” first exit (Clare sabotage vibes), with complaints about the cliffhanger.
Expert Opinion: Why Celeb Traitors Elevates the Format
TV psychologist Jo Hemmings (The Times) opines: “A fun start but how nasty will the luvvies get? Does Alan Carr have it in him to trash-talk Celia Imrie, then see her at a celeb soirée? We’ll see, but the all-star Traitors have been chosen and this could be a hoot.” She predicts the charity pot will temper betrayals but amplify emotional stakes.
Former Traitor Charlotte Berman (Telegraph interview): “My expectations have been sky high but it definitely delivered.” She loves how preconceptions (e.g., “conniving prankster” Niko Omilana) add layers.
Broadly, experts like those in The Observer see it as “treachery loves company”—celeb egos fuel the fire without derailing the game’s core suspense.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Celebrity Traitors Reviews
Is The Celebrity Traitors as good as the original?
Yes—most reviews say it’s equal or better, thanks to a stellar cast and charity twist. It keeps the menace but adds hilarity via stars like Carr.
Who are the Traitors in episode 1?
Jonathan Ross, Cat Burns, and Alan Carr. Their plain-sight murder reveal airs tonight—expect gasps.
Where can I watch The Celebrity Traitors?
BBC One Wednesdays/Thursdays at 9pm BST, or stream on BBC iPlayer. Nine episodes total.
What’s the prize, and who benefits?
Up to £120,000 for contestants’ charities—e.g., Kate Garraway’s for health causes, Tom Daley’s for LGBTQ+ youth.
Will there be drama at the Round Table?
Winkleman confirms: “Did the roundtables get heated? Yes… both parties are excellent at what they do.”
Why the grave-digging task?
It’s a shield hunt to protect six from the first murder—pure Traitors symbolism, with muddy celeb chaos for laughs.
Summary: Must-Watch Treachery with a Tinseltown Twist
The Celebrity Traitors nails its debut, blending the original’s psychological edge with A-list charm for a 4.5/5 consensus. Alan Carr’s Traitor jitters and Clare Balding’s mishaps are early MVPs, but tonight’s reveal could shift alliances. If reviews are any guide, this is peak autumn TV—devious, delightful, and donate-worthy. Tune in, banish a suspect, and join the X frenzy with #CelebrityTraitorsUK. What’s your Traitor pick?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/articles/2025/the-celebrity-traitors
