Claudia Winkleman has admitted that revealing details about The Traitors’ third series could cost her the hosting role on the hit reality TV show. Eager fans are counting down to New Year’s Day, when the new season is set to make its debut with a line-up of competitors aiming for a mouth-watering cash prize potentially reaching £120,000.
The second series had audiences on the edge of their seats, especially when “traitor” Harry Clark skillfully scooped up £95,000 in a tense conclusion. Speaking to The Sun, the beloved Strictly Come Dancing presenter mentioned that she’s been silenced on spilling any tantalising tidbits about the forthcoming edition to avoid jeopardising her job.
With an air of mystery, she hinted: “I would love to tell you all about series three, but then I will get fired so I can tell you absolutely nothing. What I will tell you is that things are different.”
Winkleman gave a glimpse into the upcoming series, suggesting that keen viewers can expect captivating plot twists. She said: “There are some really exciting things that have changed, which keeps everyone on the toes and feeds into the central premise of trust. I can’t wait for everyone to see.”
In The Traitors, which takes inspiration from the Dutch program De Verraders, Winkleman designates certain individuals as traitors while the rest, known as the faithfuls, work to identify these betrayers in a bid to win the final prize, as reported by Lancs Live.
TV audiences were riveted as 23-year-old Clark brilliantly manipulated other contestants to walk away with an impressive £95,150 jackpot on the thrilling quiz show, stunning his friend Mollie Pearce by dissimulating his status as one of the Faithful.
Pearce thought they were in on a joint victory, particularly after Harry met her gaze and assured her confidently: “It’s not me.”
The tension was palpable for viewers who could hardly watch as Mollie left the stage, devastated by Harry’s betrayal.
The show’s suspense even captivated 52-year-old presenter Winkleman, who admitted that she found herself as engrossed in the finale as any viewer, praising the programme for its unpredictable nature.
She said: “I think that the absolute kicker, the joy of the show, is the game itself. You’re watching a psychological game show, that’s the only way I can describe it.
“You’re watching to see whether people can persuade somebody to think like they do, and even if you know, even if you’re sure of what’s going on, if you can’t persuade them, it’s worthless, and that’s heartbreaking.
“Last series, the final surprised me as well. I couldn’t look up as it was so tense, but I loved every one at that final roundtable so I was backing all of them, which was complicated.”
The first two episodes of The Traitors will air on January 1 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.