Stephen Fry has described his experience on Celebrity Traitors as being ’emotionally violent’.
The 67-year-old comedian and writer will appear on the hugely popular BBC reality series, which started in 2022, later this autumn.
Joining him will be a host of famous faces in a star-studded line-up, including the likes of Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross, Paloma Faith, Tom Daley and Kate Garraway.
However, Fry has revealed how participating in the show was ‘agony’.
Speaking to The Show People Podcast, he said: ‘It was a bit like a Chinese foot massage.
‘You know it is absolutely agony, but you sort of want to do it again. It is emotionally violent, but you kind of love it.’
The broadcaster went on to say: ‘Obviously, I can’t say a word about what is in this recently recorded celebrity version, I suppose. I am certainly not telling you if I am a traitor or a faithful. I am one or the other.
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‘I was with a fascinating group of people like Jonathan Ross, Tom Daley, Clare Balding and Paloma Faith. They were lovely, an extraordinary bunch. We all got on terribly, well until the game started.’
Explaining why he decided to go on this show instead of other mainstream reality series, the 67-year-old added: ‘There is something about the structure of that game. I mean, that’s what I agreed to do it. I’m not trying to make a grand or anything.
Who will win the Celebrity Traitors?
Our TV reporter, Milo Pope, shares his thoughts…
When Minah Shannon was voted off in season 3 of The Traitors earlier this year, it proved to be a seminal moment in the history of this fantastic reality series.
In my mind, Minah played the game as perfectly as anyone could have. She remained cool, calm and collected throughout, picked her allies well and expertly turned innocent housemates against each other.
But even then, it wasn’t enough. It showed us that no matter how good a traitor you are, no one is safe.
That is why in this year’s Celebrity Traitors, the winner will not be decided by who is the best tactician or game player. Likely, in the end, it will all come down to how trusted they are.
Combing through some of the names in this upcoming line-up, there are some massive personalities. The likes of Joe Marler, Clare Balding, Paloma Faith and Niko Omilana will certainly not be afraid of sharing their opinion.
In regard to this, my money is on Tom Daley, who I managed to get the chance to speak to earlier this month ahead of his new documentary titled 1.3 Seconds.
When Tom met me, he exuded friendliness and – without me even consciously thinking about it – instantly seemed like somebody I could trust.
Those qualities have stood him well throughout his life so far and they will stand him well in the Ardross Castle.
I expect Tom to remain a faithful right until the very end, and with his carefully selected team of allies, they will snuff out whoever the traitor is. You heard it here first.
‘I have said no to any number of Strictly’s and Get Me Out of Here’s as it is just not my kind of thing. But this, I watched the first and second series, and it is such a clever game.
‘It’s so extraordinary what it does to the psychology of the individual. And I just thought it would be really interesting to play it.
‘And what an opportunity to do so. And that’s what I found.’
Among this year’s contestants on Celebrity Traitors is sports presenter Clare Balding, who is one of 19 faces headed to Ardross Castle in northern Scotland to film for the series.
She recently revealed how lots of old friendships which have withstood years in the TV and entertainment industry didn’t last long once the game was underway.
Speaking to The Sun, she said: ‘It is so intense, and you get completely obsessed with the game. Obviously, I knew quite a lot of them before I went in, but the friendships you had before go out the window!
Who is in the Celebrity Traitors 2025 line-up?
Alan Carr
Cat Burns
Celia Imrie
Charlotte Church
Clare Balding
David Olusoga
Joe Marler
Joe Wilkinson
Jonathan Ross
Kate Garraway
Lucy Beaumont
Mark Bonnar
Nick Mohammed
Niko Omilana
Paloma Faith
Ruth Codd
Sir Stephen Fry
Tameka Empson
Tom Daley
‘That, for me, is very challenging because I like to be friends with everyone. It’s brutal, but I think I’m glad I did it. It will make good TV, and there are some really strong moments.’
However, while some friendships were cast aside, Clare has excitedly revealed that she made lots of new ones during her time filming in Ross and Cromarty.
‘It was lovely to get more time to hang out with people like Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie, Charlotte Church, who’s an absolute superstar, and a really cool young singer called Cat Burns.’
Celebrity Traitors is gearing up to be the most anticipated reality show of the year after the line-up was announced.
However, last month it was rumoured that the show has been renewed for a second season before the first has even aired.
A source told The Sun: ‘They haven’t seen the viewer reaction yet but bosses have watched early edits of the first series now that filming has wrapped and it’s exceeded all their wildest expectations.
‘They are thrilled with it and hastily commissioned another run.’
Celebrity Traitors will start in the autumn of 2025, with no official premiere date released by the BBC yet.
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