The Celebrity Traitors returns for a second series on Thursday, October 1, with 21 celebrities entering the castle for another game of deception, suspicion and betrayal. Here’s everything you need to know about the start time, where to watch, the full episode schedule and what happens after each episode.
Claudia Winkleman is back in charge as a new group of famous faces head to the Scottish Highlands to take part in one of the BBC’s biggest reality shows.
The new series features an eclectic line-up including Richard E Grant, Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Maya Jama, James Acaster, James Blunt, Ross Kemp, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett and Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
But with so much attention already focused on the cast, there is one question viewers will want answered first: when is The Celebrity Traitors on and where can you watch it?
Here’s the complete guide to The Celebrity Traitors 2026.
When does The Celebrity Traitors 2026 start?
The Celebrity Traitors starts on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 8pm.
The series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with new episodes scheduled for Thursday and Friday evenings at 8pm.
The opening episode is extended, giving viewers more time to meet the celebrities and see the game begin.
The first episode is followed by The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked at 9:15pm.
Where can you watch The Celebrity Traitors?
UK viewers can watch The Celebrity Traitors on BBC One or stream it through BBC iPlayer.
The programme will have a traditional TV broadcast at 8pm, while BBC iPlayer provides another way to watch the episodes.
The series is not being released as a complete box set. Instead, new episodes will arrive across the Thursday and Friday schedule.
The Celebrity Traitors 2026 at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Start date | Thursday, October 1, 2026 |
| Start time | 8pm |
| Channel | BBC One |
| Streaming | BBC iPlayer |
| Episodes | 10 |
| Schedule | Thursdays and Fridays |
| Host | Claudia Winkleman |
| Companion show | The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked |
| Uncloaked host | Ed Gamble |
| Location | Ardross Castle, Scottish Highlands |
| Prize | Up to £100,000 for charity |
What is the Celebrity Traitors episode schedule?
The second series consists of 10 main episodes, with the show airing twice a week on Thursday and Friday evenings.
The regular broadcast time is 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The launch-night schedule is slightly different because of the extended opening episode.
| Episode | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Thursday, October 1 | 8pm |
| Episode 2 | Friday, October 2 | 8pm |
| Episode 3 | Thursday, October 8 | 8pm |
| Episode 4 | Friday, October 9 | 8pm |
| Episode 5 | Thursday, October 15 | 8pm |
| Episode 6 | Friday, October 16 | 8pm |
| Episode 7 | Thursday, October 22 | 8pm |
| Episode 8 | Friday, October 23 | 8pm |
| Episode 9 | Thursday, October 29 | 8pm |
| Episode 10 | Friday, October 30 | 8pm |
The exact episode descriptions and running times can be updated as the series progresses.
What is The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked?
One of the biggest changes for viewers this time around is the return of The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked.
Hosted by Ed Gamble, the companion programme looks at the latest developments in the castle and gives viewers an opportunity to hear analysis and reaction to the events of the main episode.
The BBC schedule currently places Uncloaked at 9:15pm, immediately after the opening episode of The Celebrity Traitors.
Gamble will be joined by guests and players to discuss the latest twists, betrayals and theories.
That means fans have more than just the main episode to keep up with each week.
What is Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides?
There is also a special piece of Celebrity Traitors content arriving on BBC iPlayer.
Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides gives viewers a look at how Claudia Winkleman chooses the Traitors at the beginning of the game.
The one-off bonus programme is exclusive to BBC iPlayer and is separate from the main 10-episode series.
For fans who want to know more about how the game is set up before the first episode gets fully underway, it provides an additional piece of the puzzle.
Who is in The Celebrity Traitors 2026?
There are 21 celebrities taking part in the second series.
The full line-up is:
- Amol Rajan
- Bella Ramsey
- Hannah Fry
- James Acaster
- James Blunt
- Jerry Hall
- Joanne McNally
- Joe Lycett
- Julie Hesmondhalgh
- King Kenny
- Leigh-Anne Pinnock
- Maya Jama
- Michael Sheen
- Miranda Hart
- Myha’la
- Richard E Grant
- Rob Beckett
- Romesh Ranganathan
- Ross Kemp
- Sebastian Croft
- Sharon Rooney
The celebrities will compete in the Scottish Highlands under the watch of Claudia Winkleman, with the ultimate aim of winning money for charity.
Who hosts The Celebrity Traitors?
Claudia Winkleman returns as host for the second celebrity series.
She is joined by Ed Gamble, who presents The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked.
The main series was filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, which once again provides the setting for the celebrity version of the game.
How many episodes of The Celebrity Traitors are there?
There are 10 episodes in the second series.
Unlike some streaming shows, the BBC is not releasing the entire series at once. Episodes are scheduled twice a week, on Thursday and Friday evenings at 8pm.
That makes keeping track of the episode schedule particularly important, especially as the show moves into the later stages of the competition.
What is The Celebrity Traitors about?
The format is based around a simple question: who can you trust?
The celebrities are divided into two groups — Traitors and Faithfuls — although the Faithfuls do not know who the Traitors are.
The Traitors secretly attempt to eliminate the Faithfuls from the game, while the Faithfuls have to identify and eliminate the Traitors before they are picked off themselves.
That creates the central mystery of the series: who is lying, who is telling the truth and who can convince everyone else that they are on the right side?
The celebrity cast adds another layer to the format, with viewers already able to speculate about which contestants might be particularly good at hiding their true role.
What time is The Celebrity Traitors on?
The main programme starts at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Episodes are scheduled for Thursday and Friday evenings, with the first episode airing on Thursday, October 1.
On launch night, The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked follows at 9:15pm.
Is The Celebrity Traitors on BBC iPlayer?
Yes.
The Celebrity Traitors is available to watch on BBC iPlayer as well as BBC One.
The series is being released in line with its Thursday and Friday broadcast schedule rather than arriving as a full box set.
The Celebrity Traitors 2026: everything you need to know
The second series of The Celebrity Traitors begins on Thursday, October 1 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The series features 21 celebrities, with new episodes airing twice a week on Thursdays and Fridays.
But the main show is only part of the viewing schedule. Fans can also watch Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides on BBC iPlayer and follow the main episodes with The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked, hosted by Ed Gamble.
With 10 episodes planned, the Celebrity Traitors schedule will run throughout October, giving viewers plenty of time to work out which celebrities are genuine Faithfuls — and which are hiding something.
Read the interview with James Acaster, here.
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