Claudia Winkleman has admitted she is terrified ahead of series three of The Traitors over how its fans will react.
The BBC presenter said the nerves were down to the first two series being such enormous hits. Claudia said: “We are totally terrified because the success of the first one blew our socks off, we didn’t expect it.
“But I just love making it so much – it’s such an honour to be in that round table and to see how it unfolds. You just don’t want people to be disappointed because the people who like it are so vocal and fantastic.”
But she feels sure this year’s players are every bit as entertaining as those from the last series, when Traitor Harry Clark fooled Mollie Pearce into thinking he was a Faithful and swiped the jackpot.
Asked if the new group had stronger players than the 22-year-old soldier, she said: “They’re not better than Harry, but they’re as good.”
Claudia Winkleman with series 3 contestants
(
Image:
BBC / Studio Lambert)
The presenter, 53, said that during the making of the upcoming run, she cried so much over one banishment that she realised the reaction was “a bit unhealthy”. Speaking at a screening held days after the end of Strictly Come Dancing last month, she said she was on tenterhooks over the reaction.
“I’m so superstitious,” she said. “I won’t exhale until January 24. I woke up at 4am. Even though on Saturday we were talking about people’s cha-chas, in my head I was thinking, ’will they like the Traitors?’”
If you’re a fan of The Traitors, join our new WhatsApp group to get all the biggest news first. Click HERE to join.
Executive producer Mike Cotton said series three was the “most ambitious yet” with new twists and turns and bigger missions. As ever, a group of strangers arrive at a castle in the Scottish Highlands to play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust, in the hope of winning up to £120,000.
While most of the contestants are Faithfuls, hidden among them are Traitors whose job is to take out fellow players secretly. Asked how the BBC1 series, which launches tonight, was kept fresh, Claudia joked: “I can’t take any credit, I just turn up, extra orange.”
So, who are the new contestants?
Joe, 37, English teacher from Southampton: “Because I’m a teacher, my life is based around planning. I have to plan for every moment, every possible question, everything that could go wrong.”
Kasim, 33, Doctor from Cambridge: “I think there are advantages to looking like you’re switched off. I think it would be advantageous for people to underestimate me.”
Keith, 65, Window cleaner from Bournemouth: “I’m 65 but I’m also a black belt in Taekwondo – I hope I can keep up with the young ones.”Leanne, 28, Military veteran from Holywell, north Wales: “A soldier won last year – I’m going to say I’m going to say I’m a nail technician, and I work in the salon that’s down the road from my house.”
Leon, 40, Retail store manager from East Midlands: “I’ve got a gold tooth – people make assumptions about me based on the way I look.” Linda, 70, Retired opera singer from Hertfordshire: “I do have a game plan, and that’s to be a little bit air-headed and to play on being older.”
Lisa, 62, Anglican Priest from Cornwall: “I’ve watched every episode of Poirot, every Agatha Christie, Midsomer Murders, Inspector Morse, Grantchester, Father Brown, Sister Boniface… I’m just obsessed with murders.”
Olivia, 26, Beautician and model from Horsham: “I’ve got a baby boy, he’s 15 months old, and I’ve never been away from him.so I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t important.”
Maia, 25, Stay-at-home Mum from Essex: “Growing up, I was a natural liar. And then I stopped lying and I got really, really blunt instead – on the borderline of being rude.”
Minah, 29, Call Centre Manager from Liverpool: “I’m very rarely wrong about people because I take time to just watch people out the window.”
Nathan, 39, Property Consultant from London: “I’m a cheat. My family game is Monopoly, and it’s very rare that someone beats me at Monopoly. I’m so competitive.”Tyler, 29, Barber from Leicester: “I’d go towards the older people, because I’m an old soul. I can’t trust younger people, I’m more mates with my dad’s mates.” Yin, 34, Doctor of communication from Berkshire: “This game is all about the art and science of persuasive communication and I have a PhD from Oxford in the subject.”
Dan, 33, Bank risk manager from Liverpool: “My autism means that I’m not too bothered about conforming too much, or about making people feel good.”
Anna, 28, Swimming teacher from County Wicklow: “I applied on a whim while my boyfriend was watching football. I just filled in the form, didn’t think anything of it.”
Francesca, 44, Interior designer from East Sussex: “Without being really horrible, there’s a bit of inner ruthlessness in me that has caught me by surprise.”
Jack, 24, Market trader/gardener from Yorkshire: “I secretly trained as an actor so I’m used to being put into hostile, unfamiliar situations. I can play it a little dumb.”
Alexander, 39, Former British diplomat from London: I’m meant to build relationships for a living, so I’d like to think I have a good radar for who I can trust.”
Fozia, 50, Community development manager from Birmingham: “I’m in it to win it and I’m playing a game. I’m going to make friends but not necessarily besties for life.”
Elen, 24, Translator from Cardiff: I’m so convinced there’s going to be a big twist in this series. Everybody loves a twist. They love to catch people off guard.”
Jake, 28, Occupation: Project manager from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: “Even if half-way through an argument I realise I’m wrong, I still double down.”
Charlotte, 32, Business Director from Hampshire: “I have a terrible poker face. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and everyone says they know what I’m thinking.”
Freddie, 20, Politics student from Peterborough: “I used to be UK number one in the sprint hurdles from 14 to 17. I’ve got a very competitive, driven mindset.”
Alex, 29, Care manager from Whitby: “Throughout my life, people have maybe underestimated or overlooked me – that could be weaponised.”
Armani ,27, Financial investigator from London: “I don’t want to sound vain, but I’m pretty good at most things and I know I’ll be good at the activities.”
The Traitors airs tonight at 8pm on BBC One.