The Celebrity Traitors' debut episode breaks record after hitting 11.7m viewers
The Celebrity Traitors' debut has been has been watched by more than 11.7 million faithful viewers, making it the biggest unscripted episode in British TV since 2022.
The Celebrity Traitors' debut has become the biggest unscripted episode in British TV since 2022.
BBC One's Claudia Winkleman-fronted show has been watched by more than 11.7 million faithful viewers after it launched on Wednesday October 7th, featuring the likes of Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, Alan Carr, Paloma Faith and Celia Imrie, meaning it has defeated other unscripted shows, but excluding special events such as New Year's Eve Fireworks and The Coronation.
The Celebrity Traitors launched with a peak of 6.5 million live viewers, and Wednesday night’s Traitors peaked at 7.1 million, which is more than the latest episode of Strictly Come Dancing, which had 6.9 million.
Claudia selected singer Cat Burns, and TV greats Jonathan and Alan as her three Traitors.
In the show, the Traitors have to "murder" their fellow contestants, the Faithful, but anyone can be axed during heated roundtable banishments.
The stars have been playing for the chance to win up to £100,000 for their chosen charities.
The Masked Singer judge Jonathan narrowly avoided being banished from the BBC One show on Thursday night, and he was shocked to have gotten away with it.
Following the roundtable, which saw TV presenter Clare Balding become the fifth Faithful in a row to go, he said: "How am I still here? I mean, I have got to be the luckiest Traitor in the history of the game.
"The Faithfuls did our dirty work for us."
Earlier this week, 64-year-old broadcaster Jonathan admitted he "didn't enjoy" being on The Celebrity Traitors.
Speaking on his Reel Talk podcast, Jonathan said: "I know they're already planning a second celebrity version.
"I know because I've had two celebrity friends of mine call and say, 'I've been approached – is it good to do, is it bad to do?' So I'm giving them the benefit of my experience, which was I didn't enjoy it.
"I'm a Traitor, that's why. I found the lying really wearing, it left me feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
"We were lying all the time, because you're sharing a car in with the people in the morning, and even though we're not supposed to be talking about the game but obviously some people do, so you're lying then.
"So you're guarding this secret that you have and the others know that someone has. You're on the defence the whole time and you have to look people in the eye and lie."
Fans will be treated to a 70-minute special The Celebrity Traitors episode for the finale, which will air on Thursday November 6th.
