Latest news with #ArdrossCastle
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Celebrity Traitors salaries REVEALED ahead of much-anticipated new series
The salaries of the star-studded cast of the Celebrity Traitors have been revealed ahead of the hotly-anticipated series. Nineteen celebrities have already filmed the latest round of backstabbing and betrayals in Scotland's Ardross Castle, with fans eagerly awaiting the series' release. Major names including Stephen Fry, Kate Garraway, Paloma Faith, Joe Marler and Alan Carr have joined the line-up as they will put their cunningness to the test. As anticipation builds for the first ever UK celebrity iteration, the salaries of the high-profile cast have been revealed by The Rest Is Entertainment podcast. Rather than being paid individual wages, all of the celebrities were paid the same £40,000 fee to appear on the show, according to journalist Marina Hyde. 'It's certainly interesting to compare something like Celebrity Traitors on the BBC to I'm a Celebrity on ITV,' she told her co-host Richard Osman while discussing BBC wages generally. 'Although we haven't seen the celebrity iteration yet, but we know it's gonna be massive. Look at the calibre of the people they got.' 'They were able to pay everybody a blanket 40k fee, right? I am spilling all my tea today. They're paying them a 40k fee,' she shared. Pointless host Richard, 54, compared it to The White Lotus - where the celebrity cast were all paid a base rate of $40,000 (£29,000) per episode, not any individual rates. 'It's like White Lotus when everyone got paid the same, they got paid much less than you would normally do,' he said before hastening to add that 'everyone is massively overpaid in the entertainment business'. Richard then teased that he knows someone who has seen the first episode, describing it as 'amazing' as he hinted fans won't be disappointed. The BBC declined to comment when approached by MailOnline. Filming for the Celebrity Traitors kicked off at the end of April as the cast were seen arriving at Inverness Airport, and shooting has already wrapped for the show. Though the exact release date has not yet been confirmed, it is expected to land on the BBC in autumn 2025. The celebrities who will transform into Traitors and Faithfuls include actors Stephen Fry, Ruth Codd, Celia Imrie, Tameka Empson and Mark Bonnar. Comedians Alan Carr, Nick Mohammed, Joe Wilkinson and Lucy Beaumont will also take part, joining singers Paloma Faith, Cat Burns and Charlotte Church. Also confirmed for the show are presenters Jonathan Ross, Clare Balding and Kate Garraway, Olympic diver Tom Daley, rugby player Joe Marler, historian and writer David Olusoga and YouTuber Niko Omilana. Missing from the confirmed line-up was actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders, who was heavily rumoured to be taking part. BBC bosses took extra precautions to keep the cast under wraps ahead of its reveal, following a series of leaks. According to The Sun, executives put in place a military-style operation to transport the all-star cast to Ardross Castle. And a no-fly zone was in place over host Claudia 's Highlands HQ to stop drone photographers from securing any images. A source told the publication: 'For a show with secrecy and shocking plot twists at its heart, navigating the celebrity version has been a real puzzler. 'Casting the likes of TV presenter Kate Garraway, former rugby star Joe Marler, and singer Paloma Faith creates a situation which is a lot more open to leaks and gossip than recruiting a call centre manager from Liverpool or a retired opera singer. 'So execs have worked really hard to lock down every inch of the production.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC releases every episode of Australian reality show perfect for those waiting for The Celebrity Traitors
The BBC have released every episode of an Australian reality show that's perfect for those waiting for The Celebrity Traitors to air. Presented by Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman, The Traitors has become one of the biggest shows around the world. Launching spin-off series in the US and New Zealand, the show follows 'Faithfuls' seeking to discover the 'Traitors' and vote them out of the game to win. READ MORE: BBC star announces death of dad as she shares final moments in emotional tribute READ MORE: BBC Wimbledon viewers make same complaint over Clare Balding 'disruption' Featuring a number of thrilling challenges and tense meetings, the series has become a global phenomenon since its premiere in 2022. Airing in the autumn, the nine-part celebrity version will give contestants the chance to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. 19 celebrities from all walks of life are confirmed to be heading to the Scottish Highlands' Ardross Castle, including comedian Alan Carr, ITV presenter Kate Garraway and former QI host Sir Stephen Fry. With the agonising wait to see how the famous faces get on coming to an end soon, a new show that hit the iPlayer on Monday (July 7) could become viewers' new obsession. Initially airing on Australian streaming service Binge, Billion Dollar Playground premiered down under back in May. The series follows an elite team of luxury service professionals to the wealthy, fulfilling every wish of their ultra-rich clients' vacations. Teasing the work they do, lead concierge Salvatore said: 'Rich people want all kinds of things. If my guests want lobster for breakfast, they get it. They want a Lamborghini, no problem sir.' CEO Alex added: 'I've had to be a best friend, the servant and a downright slave. You can never tell these people 'no'. Our guests are the world 's elite. 'They're uber wealthy and highly demanding. To make the impossible possible, our team are available 24/7.' While many will link the series to Selling Sunset, the staff featured on Billion Dollar Playground are not afraid to lie and wear masks to get what they want. It may not be the most conventional series for Traitors fans, but patterns between the shows will form in viewers' brains faster than they may imagine. Every episode of Billion Dollar Playground is streaming now on the BBC iPlayer, with the first episode airing at 9pm on Monday, July 7, on BBC Three
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Traitors production crew forced to take drastic measures after being hit with 'nightmare' insect outbreak on set
The Traitors crew have had to take drastic measures after being hit with a 'nightmare' insect outbreak on set. Filming for the latest series has just wrapped - and proved to be worse for the crew this time around. According to reports, production were 'terrorised' by wildlife during filming at the Scottish Highlands' Ardross Castle. A source told The Sun: 'There are always challenges filming outdoors but this time is was worse than ever. 'The crew were having to wear nets over their heads to stop themselves from being bitten.' Normally, it's the contestants who are put through their paces - but this time it was those behind the camera who have had to deal with it. MailOnline have reached out to the BBC for comment. It comes after the BBC released a dramatic first-look trailer for the nine-part celebrity special version of The Traitors and confirmed who will be in the new series, after swirling rumours. The broadcaster has confirmed the exact list of celebrities who will transform into Traitors and Faithfuls. A variety of actors including; Stephen Fry, Ruth Codd, Celia Imrie, Tameka Empson and Mark Bonnar, are set to walk through the castle doors. The celebrities will attempt to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. 'We're incredibly lucky these brilliant people have said yes,' Claudia said. She gave an eerie warning, 'I'd love to say we'll take it easy on them and they'll just wander round the castle and eat toast for a couple of weeks but that would be a lie.' Also confirmed for the show are presenters Jonathan Ross, Clare Balding and Kate Garraway, Olympic diver Tom Daley, rugby player Joe Marler, historian and writer David Olusoga and YouTuber Niko Omilana. The new series is set to hit screens in Autumn this year on BBC One and iPlayer. In April, the stars were spotted as they touched down at Inverness Airport and filming on the spin-off series and backstabbing finally commenced. While former Traitors star, Diane Carson, who appeared on the iconic show's second series, shared what it takes to win the game. The former teacher famously took part alongside her son Ross - and in a cunning move, the two famously concealed being related from their fellow contestants. She told the Sun her advice to the new celeb participants: 'They should park their career and just get on with playing the game. It's important to have fun.' The Traitors became an instant hit with its first season and has continued to attract audiences ever since. Series three averaged 10.3 million viewers across the 12 instalments because the biggest unscripted series since I'm A Celebrity's 2022 season.
The Sun
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The Traitors chaos as iconic castle hit by ‘nightmare' plague of insects which put film crew ‘through hell'
TRAITORS might be a hellish experience for some contestants - but filming for the latest series has proved worse for the crew this time around. Filming has just wrapped on the civilian series of the show and it couldn't come a moment too soon for the crew who have been terrorised by Scottish wildlife. 2 The Scottish Highlands' Ardross Castle where the show is filmed has had a huge increase in tick population - not to mention midges and mosquitos - and the Traitors cast and crew have become well aware of it. They've had to take drastic measures to save themselves from an itchy month of torture. A source said: 'There are always challenges filming outdoors but this time is was worse than ever. 'The crew were having to wear nets over their heads to stop themselves from being bitten. 'And ticks were a nightmare - some became experts in getting them out of people's bodies fully. 'Normally it's the contestants that are put through their paces, but this time the crew went through hell.' The recent heatwaves have contributed to the increase in insect population. The BBC has been contacted for comment. Fans will still have a long wait to see either of the new series of The Traitors. While the celebrity version is set to air later this year, the third civilian version most likely won't debut until early 2026. Claudia Winkleman will return to host the show that has become a ratings smash and a worldwide hit for the BBC. Watch as original The Traitors star undergoes facelift for Olivia Attwood's ITV show after TV fame 2
CBS News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Inside the addictive world of "The Traitors" and Alan Cumming's viral style
Behind the scenes of "The Traitors" with Alan Cumming Behind the scenes of "The Traitors" Behind the scenes of "The Traitors" Inside the stone walls of Ardross Castle, reality television contestants are plotting betrayals, forming alliances and committing metaphorical murder, all while host Alan Cumming orchestrates the chaos in increasingly outrageous outfits. The Scottish castle serves as the backdrop for Peacock's hit reality series "The Traitors," which is currently filming its fourth season with a star-studded cast that includes Olympic figure skating icons Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir, NFL mom Donna Kelce, and favorites from "Big Brother," "Survivor" and "The Real Housewives" franchise. The Emmy-winning competition show's unique blend of deception and strategy has made it one of the most popular unscripted series on television, with Cumming's dramatic hosting style becoming a viral sensation. The production team uses the entire castle estate for elaborate missions designed to test contestants and provide opportunities to win money and immunity. "I think the way we do deceit is popular," said Ben Archard, the show's director. "It's just like a safe space. Right? It's a safe space for murdering. It's a safe space for deceit." The 2,000-acre estate provides the perfect setting for the backstabbing, betrayal, mystery and mayhem that define the series. Executive producer Sam Rees-Jones said the castle functions as "another character" in the show. "It has that feel of a murder mystery … For the players it gives that," Rees-Jones said. The castle's breakfast room has become particularly iconic as the location where contestants learn which players the traitors have "murdered" overnight. Cumming relishes the dramatic moment of smashing framed photos of eliminated contestants. "Like when I first started to do it, they're like, 'Oh no, that's too much.' And now it's like one of my things," Cumming said. Over three seasons, Cumming's wardrobe has evolved from "nice little tartan suits" to what he describes as "insane capes and weird dresses." Stylist Sam Spector creates intricate, "creepy glam" looks inspired by each episode's mission, including a pocket square made from a doll's head with bloody rhinestone eyes. "There has to be a little bit of kitsch and also glamour in each episode," Spector said. The show's most dramatic moments occur during the selection process, where Cumming taps chosen traitors on the shoulder in what he calls "full on psychological warfare." "I do a thing where I make sounds with my [sleeve] and like go past their ears and make sounds," Cumming explained. "It's very, very like [gentle tap]." The ritual has become so iconic that Cumming said people regularly ask him to demonstrate "the tap." Many of the show's catchphrases have entered popular culture, particularly Cumming's declaration: "You have received the most votes and are banished from the game." "It's great to have a catchphrase though," Cumming said. "And like when people say, 'I love the show,' I just leave them a little message: 'You have received the most votes and are banished!' And people are like 'Ahhhh!'"
