The Celebrity Traitors 2026: Meet The Series 2 Cast & How To Book Them For Your Next Event
29 September 2026
If you’ve been practising your poker face since last year’s finale, the wait is almost over.
The Celebrity Traitors returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8pm on Thursday 1st October 2026, with new episodes on Thursdays and Fridays across its ten-episode run. Claudia Winkleman is back hosting while 21 famous faces are heading inside Ardross Castle.
We’re here for the round-table drama, of course. But as people who spend their days finding brilliant hosts, speakers, entertainers and team experiences, we’re also looking at this cast thinking: who would you want holding the mic at your next event?
What Happened In The First Series Of The Celebrity Traitors UK?
Spoilers warning for series one ahead.
The first celebrity series gave us an ending that nobody would have believed. Traitor Alan Carr made it to the final alongside fellow Traitor Cat Burns and Faithfuls Joe Marler, Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga. After Cat and Joe were eliminated, Nick and David chose to end the game. Alan revealed he’d been a Traitor all along and won £87,500 for his chosen charity.
An average of 11.1 million viewers watched the finale live. The BBC later reported that the first series had reached 15 million viewers at the seven-day mark!
Who Is In The Celebrity Traitors 2026 UK Cast?
This year’s cast includes sitcom favourites, chart-topping singers, familiar voices from your podcast queue, and actors you’ve probably watched being far more trustworthy on screen. Here’s where you’ll know them from, plus the conversations we’d love to bring to an event.
AOK Entertains can approach representatives for everyone below. Our event picks are suggested discussion angles to explore with each person, with bookings subject to availability and an agreed brief.
Joe Lycett
Joe Lycett is a comedian and presenter known for Late Night Lycett, Travel Man, and Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back. You may also remember him hosting The Great British Sewing Bee, appearing on Taskmaster, or briefly changing his name to Hugo Boss as part of a campaign supporting small businesses. There’s usually a point behind the prank.
Our event pick: A conversation about using comedy to challenge big brands, creating campaigns that get people talking, and turning a creative idea into a public response
Enquire with AOK Entertains about Joe Lycett for a conversation on comedy and campaigning
James Acaster
James Acaster is a stand-up comedian and co-host of Off Menu, the podcast where he and Ed Gamble ask guests to choose their dream meal. His comedy credits include the four-part Netflix series Repertoire, Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999, and a memorable appearance on Taskmaster.
Our event pick: A conversation about writing stand-up, developing a comedy show, and building a podcast around an idea that keeps people coming back
Speak to AOK Entertains about James Acaster for a comedy or podcasting conversation
Romesh Ranganathan
Before comedy, Romesh Ranganathan was a maths teacher. He’s since become known for The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, Rob & Romesh Vs, The Ranganation, and presenting The Weakest Link. His travel programmes and challenges with Rob Beckett regularly put him in situations he’d probably rather have avoided. Useful preparation for the castle, perhaps.
Our event pick: A conversation about changing careers, starting again in comedy, and what he’s learned from taking on unfamiliar challenges on camera
Ask AOK Entertains about Romesh Ranganathan for a conversation on career change and comedy
Rob Beckett
Rob Beckett is a comedian, presenter, and the voice of Celebs Go Dating. He co-hosts Rob & Romesh Vs with Romesh Ranganathan and Parenting Hell with Josh Widdicombe, where the realities of family life provide an endless supply of material. His book A Class Act also explores growing up working class and finding his way in the entertainment industry.
Our event pick: A conversation about class and access in comedy, building Parenting Hell, and balancing work with the less glamorous parts of parenthood
Enquire about Rob Beckett for an on-stage chat about comedy, class, and parenthood
Miranda Hart
Miranda Hart created and starred in the BBC sitcom Miranda, played Chummy in Call the Midwife, and appeared alongside Melissa McCarthy in Spy. She’s also the author of Is It Just Me? and I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You, which shares her experience of living with chronic illness. For plenty of viewers, though, she’ll always be responsible for making “such fun” part of the everyday vocab.
Our event pick: A conversation about writing comedy from your own experiences, the story behind Miranda, and how chronic illness changed her approach to work and life
Talk to AOK Entertains about Miranda Hart for a conversation on comedy, writing, and life beyond the screen
Joanne McNally
Irish comedian Joanne McNally co-hosts My Therapist Ghosted Me with Vogue Williams, a podcast built around their friendship and very few unspoken opinions. Her stand-up shows include The Prosecco Express and Pinotphile, and television viewers may recognise her from Taskmaster. She began her comedy career in her thirties, after working in PR.
Our event pick: A conversation about starting a new career in your thirties, turning personal stories into stand-up, and growing a podcast from a friendship into a touring show
Ask AOK Entertains about Joanne McNally for a conversation on career changes, comedy, and podcasting
Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen is the Welsh actor behind Aziraphale in Good Omens, David Frost in Frost/Nixon, and Tony Blair in The Queen. You may also know him from The Damned United, Twilight, or Staged, alongside David Tennant. Away from acting, he has supported social and community projects in Wales, including the 2019 Homeless World Cup in Cardiff.
Our event pick: A conversation about preparing to play real people, working across theatre and film, and using a public platform to support projects in your own community.
Enquire about Michael Sheen for a conversation on acting and his work supporting Welsh communities
Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant made his film debut in Withnail and I and went on to appear in Gosford Park, Saltburn, and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, which earned him an Oscar nomination. His books include With Nails, a collection of film diaries, and A Pocketful of Happiness, written following the death of his wife, Joan Washington. Between the film sets and the memoirs, there’s a lot to talk about.
Our event pick: A conversation about the realities of a film career, the stories behind his best-known roles, and the experiences explored in his memoirs, including grief and finding moments of happiness
Speak to AOK Entertains about Richard E. Grant for a conversation drawing on his films and memoirs
Jerry Hall
Jerry Hall was one of the most recognisable models of the 1970s and ’80s, appearing on Vogue covers and the artwork for Roxy Music’s Siren. Born in Texas, she built her modelling career in Europe before moving into acting, with appearances in Batman and on stage as Mrs Robinson in The Graduate. Her career spans fashion magazines, catwalks, film, and the West End.
Our event pick: A conversation about the fashion industry before social media, working with photographers and designers, and moving from modelling into acting
Ask AOK Entertains about Jerry Hall for a conversation on fashion, modelling, and her move to the stage
Maya Jama
Maya Jama is best known for presenting Love Island, with television credits including Glow Up and The Masked Singer. She began with youth broadcasting and online presenting before moving into national television and radio, including BBC Radio 1.
Alongside presenting, she has worked on campaigns with fashion and beauty brands, giving her experience on both sides of a brand partnership.
Our event pick: A conversation about building a presenting career from online platforms to mainstream television, preparing for live broadcasts, and choosing brand partnerships that fit your audience
Enquire about Maya Jama for a conversation on broadcasting, audiences, and brand partnerships
Amol Rajan
Amol Rajan is a journalist and broadcaster known for University Challenge, Amol Rajan Interviews, and his work on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He became editor of The Independent at 29 before joining the BBC as media editor. His career has taken him from running a newspaper to interviewing politicians, business leaders, and figures from the arts. Asking follow-up questions should come fairly naturally to Amol.
Our event pick: A conversation about how the media shapes public debate, the changing news industry, and what makes an interview reveal something beyond a prepared answer
Speak to AOK Entertains about Amol Rajan for a discussion on journalism, media, and interviewing
Ross Kemp
Ross Kemp became a household name playing Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, before building a second career in documentary presenting. Programmes including Ross Kemp on Gangs, Ross Kemp in Afghanistan, and Extreme World have taken him into conflict zones and communities affected by violence and organised crime.
Our event pick: A conversation about moving from acting into documentary-making, preparing to work in dangerous environments, and building trust for people to tell their stories
Ask AOK Entertains about Ross Kemp for a conversation on documentary-making and reporting under pressure
James Blunt
James Blunt is the singer-songwriter behind You’re Beautiful, Goodbye My Lover, and 1973, with his debut album Back to Bedlam launching his international music career. Before that, he served as an officer in the British Army, including in Kosovo.
Our event pick: A conversation about the move from the Army to music, writing and touring a breakthrough album, and handling public criticism with humour
Enquire about James Blunt for a conversation on Army life, songwriting, and the realities of fame
Leigh-Anne Pinnock
Leigh-Anne Pinnock rose to fame when Little Mix became the first group to win The X Factor in 2011. The group’s hits include Wings, Black Magic, and Shout Out to My Ex, while her solo releases include Don’t Say Love. In the documentary Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop & Power and memoir Believe, she has also spoken about her experience of racism in the music industry and being a Black woman in one of the world’s biggest girl groups.
Our event pick: A conversation about building a career within Little Mix, stepping out as a solo artist, and challenging racial inequality in the music industry
Talk to AOK Entertains about Leigh-Anne Pinnock for a conversation on pop music, her solo career, and racial equality
Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey played Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones before taking on the role of Ellie in The Last of Us. They also starred as Mildred Hubble in The Worst Witch and took the lead in the film Catherine Called Birdy. Having started acting professionally as a child, Bella has grown up working on productions with very different audiences, from children’s television to one of the most discussed video-game adaptations.
Our event pick: A conversation about growing up in the acting industry, bringing an established character like Ellie to the screen, and working on productions with passionate and opinionated fans
Ask AOK Entertains about Bella Ramsey for a conversation on acting, adaptations, and growing up on screen
King Kenny
King Kenny, also known as KingKennyTV, is a YouTuber and member of Beta Squad, alongside creators including Chunkz and Niko Omilana. He built an audience through comedy, pranks, and challenge videos before moving into crossover boxing.
His career connects two worlds that increasingly overlap: online entertainment and sport, with fans following him from YouTube to the ring.
Our event pick: A conversation about digital audiences, creating content as part of a group, moving into boxing, and building a career online
Enquire about King Kenny for a conversation on YouTube, digital communities, and crossover boxing
Professor Hannah Fry
Hannah Fry is a mathematician, author, and broadcaster known for The Secret Genius of Modern Life, which investigates the technology behind everyday products and services. Her book Hello World examines how algorithms influence decisions in areas including healthcare, transport, and justice. Her work asks what numbers can tell us about people, and where we need to question the answer. Quite a useful distinction at a round table!
Our event pick: A conversation about AI and algorithms, how businesses use data to make decisions, and when human judgement needs to challenge what a model is telling us
Speak to AOK Entertains about Hannah Fry for a discussion on AI, data, and decision-making
Myha’la
Myha’la plays Harper Stern in the BBC and HBO drama Industry, following the careers and personal lives of young people working in finance. Her film credits include the horror comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies and Netflix thriller Leave the World Behind, alongside Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali. She trained in drama at Carnegie Mellon University and worked in musical theatre before her screen breakthrough.
Our event pick: A conversation about moving from theatre to television, preparing to play Harper Stern, and portraying ambition and workplace power in Industry
Ask AOK Entertains about Myha’la for a conversation on her career and the making of Industry
Julie Hesmondhalgh
Julie Hesmondhalgh played Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street for 16 years, becoming part of some of the soap’s most discussed storylines. Since leaving the cobbles, she has appeared in Broadchurch, Happy Valley, and Mr Bates vs The Post Office, in which she played Suzanne Sercombe. She is also the author of An Actor’s Alphabet, which draws on her experiences of working in the profession.
Our event pick: A conversation about life on a long-running soap, preparing for sensitive storylines, and portraying real people whose stories have become national news
Enquire about Julie Hesmondhalgh for a conversation on Coronation Street, television drama, and telling real-life stories
Sharon Rooney
Sharon Rooney is the Scottish actor who played Rae Earl in My Mad Fat Diary, the series following a teenager navigating mental health, friendships, and body image in the 1990s. You may also recognise her as Lawyer Barbie in Barbie, Miss Atlantis in Tim Burton’s Dumbo, or from Two Doors Down. Going from Rae’s bedroom to Barbieland makes for quite a set of behind-the-scenes stories.
Our event pick: A conversation about playing Rae Earl, representing teenage mental health and body image on television, and moving from British TV to major film productions
Talk to AOK Entertains about Sharon Rooney for a conversation on My Mad Fat Diary, screen representation, and her film career
Sebastian Croft
Sebastian Croft is an actor and musician known for playing Ben Hope in Netflix’s Heartstopper. He also played a young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones and Atti in Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans, earning a BAFTA nomination for the latter. His career began in theatre as a child, before he moved into film and television.
Our event pick: A conversation about starting out in theatre, moving into screen acting, and the experience of joining adaptations with existing fan communities
Ask AOK Entertains about Sebastian Croft for a conversation on child acting, theatre, and Heartstopper
And, of course, Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Winkleman’s presenting career includes Strictly Come Dancing, The Piano, The Great British Sewing Bee, and BBC Radio 2. With The Traitors, she’s definitely added dramatic reveals and some very serious knitwear to the job description.
Across those programmes, she’s spent years interviewing contributors and guiding live broadcasts.
Our event pick: A conversation about the making of The Traitors, preparing for live television, and what she has learned from hosting everyone from amateur musicians to celebrity contestants. Or, naturally, an enquiry about Claudia hosting your own event.
Speak to AOK Entertains about Claudia Winkleman as a host or interview guest for your next event
Bring Betrayal To Your Next Team Event
If the office group chat is already full of theories, it might be time to put them to the test. AOK Events can arrange The Betrayers at Lincoln’s Inn, a Traitors-inspired team experience in Holborn, London.
Guests take on challenges that test their problem-solving and physical skills, working together to build their team’s bank. There’s one complication, some of the people helping them are secretly working against them. Between challenges, teams gather at the round table to compare suspicions and decide who they think the betrayers are.
Lincoln’s Inn supplies the setting, with historic halls, stained-glass windows, and plenty of atmosphere.
Why It Works For Team-Building
The game gives people a reason to talk, listen, and work with colleagues they might not usually spend time with. Teams need to share information, weigh up different explanations, and make decisions together. Someone who rarely speaks up in a meeting might spot the detail everyone else has missed, while the person leading the discussion might have to rethink their theory.
For a team away day or company social, that gives everyone a shared experience to talk about afterwards.
Book celebrity speakers and hosts with AOK Entertains
Want to hear what it was actually like inside the castle? AOK Entertains can approach representatives for this year’s cast, previous contestants, and Claudia Winkleman about appearing at your event.
That could mean a conversation about a contestant’s career and time on the programme, an after-dinner interview, or a celebrity host for your evening. Tell us who you have in mind, who’s attending, and what you’d like them to do, and we’ll explore the brief with their team.
For a Traitors-inspired party, AOK Events can also bring together the venue, catering, activities, and entertainment. The Betrayers is a separate, inspired experience, we can also book!
Speak to AOK Events about planning your team event or contact AOK Entertains with your speaker or host wishlist.
hello@aokevents.com | +44 (0)20 8222 8420
