Claudia Winkleman has revealed exactly how The Traitors are selected – and the one reason a contestant would never be chosen. The series starts with the Strictly Come Dancing host chatting with each of the stars as they say whether they would want to play a Traitor or not.
In tense scenes as the contestants gather at the round table for the first time, Claudia, 53, then taps players on the shoulder to indicate they have been selected for the villain role. But it turns out she actually has little influence over the decision.
Claudia, who has hosted the hit BBC show since its launch in December 2022, told The Radio Times there is actually a team of people who help to handpick the Traitors. She revealed: “It’s not down to me. There’s a group of us, including the brilliant producers and casting team.
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“We go into a room and don’t leave until they’re chosen. If someone asks not to be a Traitor, they wouldn’t be picked.”
The Traitors producer Stephen Lambert, 65, has also shed light on how The Traitors are chosen. He told News Agents’ presenter Lewis Goodall: “People are cast because we’re making a judgement all the time about the chemistry between them… but, and crucially, whether they have the confidence to take part, particularly if they have the confidence to be a Traitor.
“The decision as to who the Traitors are is made at the very last moment after Claudia does an interview with each of them before they go into the meeting.”
Only two Traitors remain in the game this year – Linda, 70 and her co-conspirator Minah Shannon, 29. But whether they will both make it to the end remains to be seen, especially with some contestants having their sights firmly set on Linda.
The Traitors continues on BBC One tonight (Wednesday, Jnauary 15) at 9pm.