Romesh Ranganathan teases immersive Celebrity Traitors season 2
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan says filming Celebrity Traitors season 2 at Ardross Castle was far more immersive than he expected. Speaking on The One Show, he admitted he thought the BBC reality spin-off would feel staged—but found himself locked in the game the whole time, fuelling fresh buzz before Claudia Winkleman's star cast returns later in 2026.
Romesh Ranganathan is among 21 celebrities heading to the Scottish Highlands for the second series of The Celebrity Traitors, the hit spin-off where famous faces compete for a share of a £100,000 cash prize for charity. His candid comments offer rare behind-the-scenes insight without spoiling the drama.
Key Takeaways
- Romesh Ranganathan told The One Show that Celebrity Traitors season 2 is "so immersive" and caught him completely off guard.
- He expected a short, staged appearance but says contestants stay in the game the entire time at Ardross Castle.
- Bookmakers price Joanne McNally and Michael Sheen as joint 6/1 favourites, with Romesh at 10/1.
- The series airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later in 2026 after filming wrapped.
- Romesh is competing alongside close friend Rob Beckett in the Claudia Winkleman-hosted format.
What did Romesh Ranganathan say about Celebrity Traitors?
Appearing on The One Show, Romesh Ranganathan told hosts Alex Jones and Vernon Kay he felt "incredibly nervous" discussing the experience because he could not give anything away.
"What I can say is, I thought that it was faker than it is," he explained. He added: "What I mean is, I thought you rock up, just have a go, and then you go home. It is so immersive – I couldn't believe it."
Radio Times reports Romesh described the process as "all-encompassing" and called it "a pretty amazing experience." The comedian is one of the famous faces confirmed for season 2 at Ardross Castle.
Why did he think the show would feel more "fake"?
Before signing up, Romesh Ranganathan assumed stars would simply turn up to Ardross Castle, play as either Traitors or Faithfuls in the BBC's game of backstabbing and betrayal, and then go home. That expectation, he said, underestimated how fully the format consumes contestants.
"You are in the game the whole time you're in the game, and that took me by surprise," he told The One Show. The contrast between his pre-show assumptions and the reality has become a talking point across Bizarre World coverage of reality TV twists.
Romesh is competing alongside his friend Rob Beckett. When asked whether their friendship survived the intense experience, he joked: "I have to be [friends with him] because it is financially rewarding!"
Who is tipped to win Celebrity Traitors series 2?
With filming officially wrapped, betting markets have opened on the 21-strong cast. According to OLBG, comedian Joanne McNally and actor Michael Sheen share the joint-favourite price of 6/1 with William Hill.
James Blunt sits at 13/2, Bella Ramsey at 7/1, and Maya Jama at 8/1. Romesh Ranganathan is priced at 10/1, reflecting a 9.1% implied probability of victory. Bookmakers also price a Faithful winner at 8/11 and a Traitor winner at evens.
OLBG notes the field looks unusually flat, with six contenders priced inside 10/1—suggesting strategic gameplay may matter as much as celebrity profile when the autumn episodes arrive.
When does Celebrity Traitors season 2 air?
The Celebrity Traitors series 2 will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later in 2026, with Claudia Winkleman returning as host. The spin-off follows the civilian Traitors format, which proved a ratings hit when Alan Carr won the inaugural celebrity series.
Romesh joins fellow comedians James Acaster, Joe Lycett, Miranda Hart and Joanne McNally, alongside actors including Michael Sheen, Bella Ramsey and Richard E. Grant. Yahoo News UK also reports that season 2 may feature a larger Traitor recruitment drive than series one, though full details remain under wraps.