The Traitors has returned for its third series and its host Claudia Winkleman – who also fronts Strictly Come Dancing – has spoken about what it’s like filming the BBC show

TV presenter Claudia Winkleman has opened up about the aspect of working on the Traitors that she finds “difficult”.

Claudia, 52, has hosted the BBC show since it debuted in 2022. Each series sees the contestants divided into Traitors and Faithfuls whilst based at Ardross Castle in Scotland, with the latter group unaware of who their rivals are. The two groups work against each other throughout the series.

The third series launched earlier this week on New Year’s Day, introducing fans to new contestants. Two episodes have aired so far, with a twist introduced just minutes in to the launch, and the third episode will air on Friday night.

Ahead of the launch, Claudia spoke about her experience working on the Traitors in an interview with British Vogue. She opened up to the outlet about an aspect of filming that she finds “very difficult” and her “confusing” feelings.

When asked what the ‘most difficult’ part of the job is, she shared that the contestants on the show feel like they are her “children”. Discussing her other jobs, she said that on Strictly Come Dancing she’s “allowed to hang out” with the cast and support him and when working with competitors on the Piano she can “hold their hand” throughout the process.

She however said: “On this, we’re all absolutely in it and I can’t make them feel better. I can’t go ‘I’m going to put you out of your misery. I’m going to tell you who the traitor is’.”

Claudia added that she finds it “very difficult” that there “has to be distance”. She continued in the recent interview: “And what’s so strange about The Traitors, and what I find so compelling, is that I want the traitors to get away with it and I want the faithful to find them, totally in equal measure.”

Claudia Winkleman (front), pictured with the cast of series three, has spoken about what it’s like filming The Traitors ( 
Image:
BBC)
The host then reflected on the previous two series, mentioning former finalists in the interview. She said that in the last series she wanted Harry Clark, who was a Traitor, to “get away with it” but also wanted Jaz Singh to “catch him”. She added that in the debut series she wanted Wilf Webster to “walk away with the money” but also wanted Hannah Byczkowski, whom unlike him wasn’t a Traitor, to “see through it”. Claudia described such feelings as “confusing”.

Harry, who was the sole remaining Traitor, ended up winning the second series of the Traitors, which aired just last year. Jaz was banished in the final, whilst Mollie Pearce placed as runner-up after putting her trust in pal Harry.

The first series instead saw the Faithfuls win, with Hannah, Aaron Evans and Meryl Williams walking away with the prize fund. Wilf and Kieran Tompsett, who were the only Traitors in the final, had been banished in the episode.