Claudia Winkleman makes surprising Celebrity Traitors confession: 'I was scared'
The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman has revealed that she initially rejected the idea of a celebrity version of the show.
TV presenter Claudia Winkleman has admitted that she didn't initially like the idea of filling The Traitors with celebrities.
The first episode of the celebrity version of the popular BBC show is eagerly awaited by fans and is set to air next week. However, its host Claudia confessed that she had some initial doubts about altering the format of the much-adored TV series.
"I was scared," she confessed. "Only because I'm in love with this show and I wanted to keep it small. Once a year or maybe once every two years felt like enough."
"My bosses, thank goodness, ignored everything I said," she continued.
A total of 19 high-profile stars were eventually recruited for The Celebrity Traitors, each vying to win £100,000 for their chosen charity.
"It was scarier, because all I wanted to do was chat to them and make them like me," Claudia said of fronting the celebrity version.
"But of course, I have to be extremely unlikeable. It was tricky!"
Upon seeing the stars keen to participate as either a Traitor or a Faithful, the presenter realised the show was a brilliant idea, according to the Mirror.
She was particularly dazzled to be working alongside Stephen Fry and comedian Joe Wilkinson.
"When I spoke to Stephen Fry I nearly became emotional," the 53-year-old presenter disclosed.
"I told him this was my dream. I could barely breathe when I saw them all in the Highlands. I'm such a fan of every single one of them. The whole team were just in awe, it was hard not to scream, 'You're here!'"
The telly favourite revealed that her biggest struggle during the celebrity edition was "being strict" with the famous contestants, including Alan Carr, Kate Garraway, Joe Marler, Mark Bonnar and Tameka Empson.
Other stars joining the programme include Jonathan Ross, Charlotte Church, Ruth Codd, Paloma Faith, Celia Imrie, Niko Omilana and Nick Mohammed. Lucy Beaumont, Cat Burns, Clare Balding, David Olusoga and Tom Daley are also making their way to the castle to test their mettle on the show.
The Celebrity Traitors launches on Wednesday October 8 at 9pm on BBC One.