Celebrity Traitors packed with 'tears' and 'paranoia'
The new series of The Celebrity Traitors is packed with "tears" and the "paranoia is off the scale", according to the BBC's Director of Entertainment Ed Havard.
The "paranoia is off the scale" in the new series of The Celebrity Traitors.
The all-star version of the hit BBC game show hosted by Claudia Winkleman is set to return later this year with famous faces including Ross Kemp, Bella Ramsey, James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Joanne McNally, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Michael Sheen, Maya Jama, Miranda Hart and Richard E. Grant - and now the BBC's Director of Entertainment Ed Havard has given an update on what to expect and he's revealed there are plenty of "tears".
During an appearance at the Edinburgh Television Festival in Scotland, Ed explained: "The thing about this season is, things happen that you didn't think could happen on Traitors ... I came from working on the US version, and it just shows how many surprises this show can deliver.
"'The paranoia is off the scale. I really wanted to step in and go, 'no one is actually being murdered. I don't want to give too much away, but there are tears in this series.
"I don't think that I thought there would be this many surprises in this season … but there are."
It comes after the BBC dropped the first teaser for the new series in which Claudia was seen addressing the new recruits in a church at what appears to be a fake funeral, saying: "A moment of silence for the celebrities gathered today. Thoughts and prayers! ... Who doesn't love a dramatic exit."
The Celebrity Traitors - which sees the Faithfuls identify and banish the Traitors through voting, while the Traitors try to stay undetected and 'murder' the Faithfuls each night - had the nation gripped when it aired last year and is expected to return in the autumn while another series of The Traitors is also believed to be on the way.
The latest update comes after Celebrity Traitors castmember Ross Kemp compared secrecy on The Celebrity Traitors to working in a high security prison.
The former EastEnders actor revealed he had to sign a form "longer than the Bayeux Tapestry" which prevents him talking about his experience and he insisted the strict rules are tighter than conditions at Pollsmoor Prison in South Africa and Belmarsh in London.
During an appearance on the Joe Marler Will See You Now podcast, former Celebrity Traitors star Joe attempted to get Ross to talk about the show and the actor explained: "I tell you what, as you know the disclaimer for the Traitors is longer than the Bayeux Tapestry. Pollsmoor and Belmarsh prisons have less policing around it than that game, that piece of entertainment! ..."
Ross dodged a number of questions about his experience on The Celebrity Traitors and refused to be drawn on whether he was picked as a Traitor or whether he was a Faithful.
Former rugby star Joe previously made it to the final stages of the TV competition before being banished by fellow Faithful Nick Mohammed, paving the way for Traitor Alan Carr to go on to win.
A recent report suggest BBC bosses increased security for the upcoming series to make sure the public doesn't find out which of the celebrities have been chosen as Traitors.
Locks have been installed in the editing suite, and staff are forbidden from talking about the show outside the building.
An insider previously told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "They’re saying it’s become like The Masked Singer set-up, which is shrouded in secrecy with sealed production rooms. Only a few people are allowed in and out."
