The castle doors are creaking open once again — and the whispers about who might step inside are louder, darker and more intriguing than ever.

Following Alan Carr’s jaw-dropping win in the debut celebrity edition, bookies have now revealed their early favourites for The Celebrity Traitors Series 2. And behind the scenes, insiders claim the BBC is quietly pulling strings to secure some of the biggest, boldest personalities in British television for the next psychological showdown.

What began as fan speculation has now become a frenzy — and the leaked “dream list” already has reality TV lovers losing their minds.

The hit series, which smashed viewing records with over 14 million fans tuning in, is officially returning after becoming the BBC’s most talked-about unscripted success since 2021. Now, with negotiations under way, the casting race is heating up.

According to gaming site Slingo, documentary icon Louis Theroux currently sits at the top with odds of 6/5 (45.5%), described as “a strategic mastermind in the making.” Not far behind is EastEnders favourite Danny Dyer, given 2/1 odds (33.3%) and considered the chaotic wildcard capable of blowing alliances apart.

Comedian Richard Ayoade follows with 5/2 odds (28.6%), while Countdown brainbox Rachel Riley (3/1) and comedian Katherine Ryan (7/2) round out the upper tier.

Meanwhile, journalist Piers Morgan lurks at 11/1 (8.3%) — and though his inclusion seems unlikely, insiders admit it would “break the internet overnight.”

A Slingo spokesperson explained:
“Louis Theroux brings a unique blend of intelligence and detachment — ideal for the game. Danny Dyer, on the other hand, is pure fire. He’d walk in and tear the castle to pieces.”

And this time, the rumoured lineup stretches far beyond the bookmakers’ numbers.

Last season’s cast featured Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross, Cat Burns as Traitors, and Faithfuls including Charlotte Church, Tom Daley, Clare Balding, Paloma Faith, Stephen Fry and Kate Garraway. Alan’s final confession, where he admitted the guilt was “tearing [him] apart,” created an unforgettable television moment and helped push the finale to 11 million viewers — one of the BBC’s highest-rated broadcasts in years.

The frenzy around Series 2 has only intensified thanks to the BBC’s recent Economic Impact Report, which revealed the entire Traitors franchise generated £21.8 million for the Scottish economy through filming at Ardross Castle. A TV insider put it bluntly:
“This isn’t a show anymore — it’s an empire.”

And empires attract big names.

EastEnders legend Danny Dyer admitted he regrets turning down the first season because he didn’t know the show, teasing:
“If the money’s right, I might be up for it now.”

Good Morning Britain’s Martin Lewis confessed he had major FOMO after declining due to scheduling issues.

Hollywood star Courteney Cox — a close friend of Claudia Winkleman — remains high on the BBC’s wish list. Her appearance in a promo video last year sparked hopes she may finally cross the Atlantic for a full run.

Presenter Rylan Clark, a longtime fan, said he’d join “in a heartbeat,” though he laughed that he’d make a terrible Traitor.

JLS singer JB Gill, Strictly legend Shirley Ballas, and Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills have all expressed interest — each bringing competitive instincts that producers believe could reshape the game.

And now, two surprising new names have surged into the rumour mill:

⭐ Stacey Solomon — whose bubbly warmth and surprising cunning on past reality shows could make her either the ultimate Faithful… or the most dangerous Traitor the castle has ever seen.

⭐ Kate Garraway — fresh from her emotional public journey, insiders say she is being “seriously considered” for Series 2 after her widely-praised resilience and sharp intuition on previous TV challenges.

Gavin & Stacey star Ruth Jones is reportedly in advanced talks, but insists she would participate only as a Faithful.
Comedy legend Bob Mortimer remains a dream pick for producers, who previously said:
“If Bob wants to do it next year, we’ll take him instantly.”

Alan Carr’s victory set a high bar — but with the BBC chasing global names and drama-hungry audiences predicting betrayals bigger than ever, expectations for Season 2 are sky-high.

One thing is certain: in Claudia Winkleman’s shadowy castle, trust is always the first victim… and betrayal is only the beginning.

📺 The Celebrity Traitors returns soon on BBC One and iPlayer.
Where the biggest lie… is believing anyone.