logo
Claudia Winkleman to host BBC Traitors Prom

Claudia Winkleman to host BBC Traitors Prom

Telegraph24-04-2025
The BBC will stage a Traitors -themed Prom to attract new audiences to classical music.
Almost 10 million people watched the series finale of the hit game show in January, and Proms organisers aim to capitalise on the popularity of the programme.
The annual season of summer concerts will feature a Traitors Prom hosted by the show's presenter Claudia Winkleman.
She will wear a cloak and guide concert-goers through an evening of classical music focussed on themes of deception and betrayal.
The show, filmed at a Highland castle, follows contestants in a game of lies and investigation, as they attempt to win £120,000 by trying to identify who among them are 'traitors'.
It is understood that a former contestant, opera singer Linda Rands, may feature in the Prom.
The Traitors Prom will have an afternoon and an evening performance, and will feature the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Singers.
The Singers will reportedly be dressed in the distinctive, long cloaks that feature in the series.
The betrayal-themed concert is the latest in a series aimed at attracting a broader public to classical music.
In 2024, the BBC raised eyebrows by scheduling pop star Sam Smith to perform during the Proms season, despite some of the singer's previous shows being criticised for having sexualised costumes and choreography.
Suzy Klein, the BBC's head of arts and classical music TV, said: 'We know the Traitors is a massive phenomenon.
'We see this as very much hardwired into the DNA of the Proms, which is about reaching the widest and broadest possible audience with classical music.
'Using BBC Proms is a really important thing for us.'
Sam Jackson, the head of BBC Radio 3, announced that the first 'all-night Prom' since 1983 had been also scheduled to target a more youthful audience.
Mr Jackson added that 'some people may bring sleeping bags'.
The radio executive said: 'I would imagine that some people would come, maybe they'll have a small pillow and they'll want to have a lie down.'
Other concerts will include a CBeebies Prom, a celebration of the Shipping Forecast, and a Soul Revolution Prom.
This event, hosted by Trevor Nelson, will feature songs of protest and politically-themed soul music.
BBC bosses have committed to a patriotic Last Night of the Proms, after debates surrounding the potentially colonialist messaging of the finale, which is famed for performances of Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.
The conductors and soloists for the concert will be all-female for the first time in Proms history.
The BBC will not weigh in on international conflict, and Russian performers will be welcome at the Proms. Following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there had been some moves to boycott Russian performers, and works by Russian composers.
The Royal Albert Hall, and not the BBC, will be responsible for policing political messaging and protest during the season.
Last year, the Telegraph revealed that the Hall banned 'protest flags' at the Last Night.
The patriotic finale is typically filled with audience members carrying the Union Jack, or the flag of the EU.
Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, ticketholders were told that 'flags related to protest' and 'hatred' would be confiscated.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Awkward moment Strictly stars swerve questions over cocaine scandal live on This Morning after BBC investigation
Awkward moment Strictly stars swerve questions over cocaine scandal live on This Morning after BBC investigation

The Sun

time8 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Awkward moment Strictly stars swerve questions over cocaine scandal live on This Morning after BBC investigation

AN awkward moment occurred on Monday's This Morning, as Strictly stars swerve the cocaine quiz live on the show, as a BBC investigation was revealed. BBC bosses are set to offer two Strictly stars at the centre of a drugs storm the chance to attend rehab. 5 5 5 In the latest scandal to hit the flagship BBC show, The Sun on Sunday revealed that the BBC had been forced to launch an investigation using external lawyers to look into allegations of drug use. A celebrity claimed it was 'well known on the show that two stars took cocaine'. And one star allegedly said to another, about a third: 'Have you seen their pupils . . . they're off their face.' And as a group of Strictly stars joined hosts Joel Dommett and Emma Willis to promote their The Return of the Legends tour, they were questioned about the latest show developments. Pasha Kovalev, Ian Waite, Brendan Cole and James Jordan were on the This Morning sofa. And presenter Joel spoke to the group and said: 'Strictly has been back in the headlines again this weekend. Do you have anything to say about what has come out?' Former Strictly star Brendan Cole spoke on behalf of the group, as he said: 'We hold Strictly very dearly in our hearts as it's why we're here on this sofa today. 'There will always be controversy with Strictly because there are too many people involved in it. 'Hopefully the BBC will handle things in the correct way and look after the people who are on the show. I think that's the most important thing. Whatever comes out will come out.' He continued: 'It's a serious subject and hopefully it's dealt with in the right way but it's one of those things where you don't really know what's going on behind the scenes or maybe you do and it's never dealt with at the source but that's not for us to know because we're not on the show.' BBC launches inquiry into damning allegations of drug consumption on flagship show Strictly Come Dancing This weekend, a source told The Sun: 'The BBC is taking the allegations really seriously. "Bosses are aware of the two stars in question and have a duty of care to make sure they're OK. 'As per BBC policy, the option of specialised professional support is on the table and will be offered.' They added: 'While drug testing won't happen on the main show, bosses are considering bringing in random checks for the tour next year. 'The BBC needs to be sure nothing illegal is going on. 'It all depends on what the investigation finds.' A BBC source said: 'Welfare is paramount for bosses.' During the This Morning appearance, Strictly's James Jordan added: 'We've got lots of friends on [Strictly] so it's very difficult for us to comment. 'We don't really know what is true and what isn't. It's just all hearsay at the moment.' 5 5

Gregg Wallace, 60, bizarrely does squats outside the gym as he continues to plug his personal training business - after hitting out at backlash over his autism charity appointment
Gregg Wallace, 60, bizarrely does squats outside the gym as he continues to plug his personal training business - after hitting out at backlash over his autism charity appointment

Daily Mail​

time8 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Gregg Wallace, 60, bizarrely does squats outside the gym as he continues to plug his personal training business - after hitting out at backlash over his autism charity appointment

Gregg Wallace bizarrely engaged in some early morning squats outside the gym on Monday amid his continued promotion of his personal training business following his MasterChef sacking. The presenter, 60, was recently dismissed from the cooking show after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation. And following his admission that his TV career is now 'done', Gregg proved to be his own best advert as he showcased his fitness skills at 5.50am. Donning a black zip-up sweater, black shorts and white trainers, Gregg looked on fine form as he warmed up by his car ahead of heading into his own training session. He later took to his Instagram stories to share a video of himself doing more squats, with the former greengrocer demonstrating his strength by clutching a heavy dumbbell as well. In recent days, Gregg has continued to promote his healthy eating website Gregg and his personal training services after previously admitting he's 'done' with TV amid his sacking. On Monday morning, he also posted a clip of himself drumming up business for his services, with Gregg offering '1 to 1 coaching' for '£200 a month.' Meanwhile, Gregg also shared a response from a Welfare Rights Adviser defending him after she'd reached out to him to see if the Disability Advice and Welfare Network (DAWN) could help him better understand his autism. Gregg had been criticised by disability charities after blaming his inappropriate behaviour on his autism. While Gregg also blamed the BBC for not providing enough support for him amid his condition during his 20 years working for the corporation. Several organisations have rejected claims that the former BBC presenter's misconduct, which included an allegation that he exposed himself while not wearing any underwear, was partly due to his condition. Supporters of the 60-year-old said his autism caused an 'inability to wear underwear because of his autistic hypersensitivity to labels and tight clothing' and also meant he had an 'oddity of filters and boundaries', The Times reported. Taking to his Instagram on Sunday, Gregg shared a message from charity boss Annie Sands, in which she hit back at criticism her organisation had faced for supporting Gregg. She wrote: 'We understand that recent discussions involving DAWN and Gregg Wallace have sparked public interest. However, many of the criticisms directed at us are based on assumptions rather than facts. Those commenting are not privy to the full context of our engagement with Gregg or the broader work we do. Following his admission that his TV career is now 'done', Gregg proved to be his own best advert as he showcased his fitness skills at 5.50am Donning a black zip-up sweater, black shorts and white trainers, Gregg looked on fine form as he warmed up by his car ahead of heading into his own training session He later took to his Instagram stories to share a video of himself doing more squats, with the former greengrocer demonstrating his strength by clutching a heavy dumbbell as well On Monday morning, he also posted a clip of himself drumming up business for his services, with Gregg offering '1 to 1 coaching' for '£200 a month' 'DAWN exists to support neurodiverse individuals, and we do so without prejudice or selective advocacy. Gregg Wallace, like many others we support, has found our guidance valuable-especially as a parent of an autistic child. Our role has been to help him better understand the implications of his diagnosis and how it affects communication and perception. 'People should never feel afraid to disclose their autism diagnosis. Doing so opens the door to reasonable adjustments in the workplace and other settings, which are essential for inclusion. Refusing support based on circumstance would be discriminatory and contrary to our values. @greggawallace.' Though Gregg didn't write a caption alongside Annie's message. the post was still met with a plethora of comments supporting him. Gregg previously insisted he is 'not trying to play the victim' and claimed his autism diagnosis was partly responsible for some of his alleged behaviour as it means he struggles 'to read people' and can be perceived as 'odd' at times. He also again defended allegations - which he claims have been 'sexualised' - that he would not wear underwear while working on the cooking show, saying it was due to his 'hypersensitivity' as a result of the condition. Gregg stepped down from the hit BBC cooking show after complaints were made about his behaviour and following a report into his conduct, in which 45 of 83 complaints were upheld. In total, 41 people complained. The review concluded that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour'. It added that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated', with 'one incident of unwelcome physical contact' also substantiated. The ex Eat Well for Less? presenter told the Sun that while he didn't deny being guilty of some of the claims, he believed things had been 'perceived incorrectly'. Gregg claimed that he had worked with around 4,000 people, meaning that just 0.5% of those he has worked with 'found fault with me'. He said his actions were the result of learned behaviour and workplace culture and claimed that his recent autism diagnosis also played a role. 'I know I am odd. I know I struggle to read people. I know people find me weird. Autism is a disability, a registered disability,' he said. Gregg has previously said he felt the BBC failed to provide enough support for his condition during his 20 years working on MasterChef. 'My neurodiversity, now formally diagnosed as autism, was suspected and discussed by colleagues across countless seasons of MasterChef,' he said. 'Yet nothing was done to investigate my disability or protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment for over 20 years.'

Louie Spence recalls ‘suffocating' during swimming task on Celebrity SAS
Louie Spence recalls ‘suffocating' during swimming task on Celebrity SAS

Leader Live

time36 minutes ago

  • Leader Live

Louie Spence recalls ‘suffocating' during swimming task on Celebrity SAS

The Channel 4 military-style reality show returned on Sunday and saw 14 new celebrity recruits tasked with plunging 26 feet into the sea before swimming to a passing speed boat. Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain (GMB), Spence, 56, said: 'It was no good and I thought I'd be good at the swimming task. A post shared by SAS: Who Dares Wins (@sas_whodareswins) 'I swim every day, I enjoy swimming, but, you know what it was, you have to put a life jacket on.' 'He (directing staff, Rudy Reyes) went out like a fish in water, with no life jacket. So when you jump in, it gives you a bit of drag. 'And I said to them I want a tight jacket, because I thought I won't get as much drag. Well, I was like suffocating. It was too tight. That's why I didn't make it to the boat.' Spence, along with S Club singer Hannah Spearritt, withdrew from the show during the first episode. Spence said: 'The reason I did it (the show) as well, was that I came off my antidepressants six months before I got asked to do the show. 'So I was feeling really strong in mind and physically I thought I was okay. I upped my physicality, so I thought it'd be a challenge to see, not being on like medication, how I deal with this kind of situation, and, in fact, the mental side of it, I felt fine with. 'I wasn't frightened about jumping in the water, all of those kind of things. It was the physical (side). 'I just felt as though I didn't have the physical capacity. And I was surrounded by these people who were so enthusiastic, and it was a big team that you had to play with. 'It's all part of being a team. And I didn't feel as though I was going to contribute to being part of that team.' This year's celebrity recruits also include ex-drug mule Michaella McCollum, former footballer Adebayo Akinfenwa, Strictly Come Dancing 2025 runner-up Tasha Ghouri, Traitors winner Harry Clark, rapper Lady Leshurr, boxer Conor Benn, singer Lucy Spraggan, and ex-Love Island contestants Chloe Burrows and Adam Collard. Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins next airs on Channel 4 on Monday at 9pm.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store