Celebrity Traitors has been thrown into chaos following reports of a leak after a star's pal claimed to know the identity of the BBC finalists. This week, reports have surfaced that BBC bosses have been panicking behind the scenes, desperate to put the gossip-mongering to bed.
Over 9.6 million viewers tuned in to Friday's bombshell episode (October 9), which saw the Traitors evade detection while putting one Faithful's life at risk in a nail-biting cliff-hanger. Before the cameras started rolling earlier this Spring, the all-star line-up signed non-disclosure agreements pledging to keep the results of the high-pressure game a secret until the show hits the airwaves.
Leak spreads at showbiz parties
But just two weeks into the show, news of the final has been leaked. According to The Sun, executives are panicking while the news starts to swirl at various celebrity events. A source told the outlet: "Because of the leak, who makes the final is now a hot topic at showbiz parties.
"It's also spread how certain players get on, not helped by the fact that another source has been suggesting who's being placed for interviews around the final. It's vital that the leaks don't make it to gossip forums online and on social media, where fans can find the information.
"The BBC is hoping that anyone happening upon the info or hearing it from friends will help keep the secrets of the castle and stay quiet." Express.co.uk has reached out to the BBC for a comment.
Previous leak and NDA breaches
This isn't the first time BBC bosses have faced an accidental leak. The first series of the celebrity version was nearly ruined for millions of viewers when it was briefly uploaded a day early on the Canadian streaming service, Crave. Thankfully, it didn't damage the UK viewing figures, with more than 11 million people tuning in to watch Alan Carr steal the victory.
This year's final is due to air at the end of October, with more than one winner possible. It's understood that the BBC finalists' identities have been exposed. Faithful Joanne McNally has already revealed on her podcast that she knows who wins this year's series. Her fellow Faithful Joe Lycett also admitted he broke the terms of his NDA, saying: "They say, 'Don't tell anyone you're doing it', but if you search the word Traitors in my WhatsApp, I told everyone! I was telling Uber drivers."
Meanwhile, EastEnders star Ross Kemp revealed that the NDA agreement was "longer than the Bayeux Tapestry".
Friday's cliffhanger
Friday's show ended on a dramatic cliffhanger, with Ross, comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan and Little Mix star musician Leigh-Anne Pinnock playing a high-risk game of hide and seek. Leigh-Anne has a key to protect herself from murder, but one of her fellow stars may be at risk of murder.
It comes after actor Bella Ramsay was murdered, with Coronation Street favourite Julie Hesmondhalgh banished at the Round Table. Viewers at home were taken aback when eagle-eyed fans suggested that Claudia had indirectly revealed that four contestants are not Traitors. As the team of four took part in the deadly game of Hide and Seek, viewers flocked to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their frustrations online.
One user penned: "I thought that. Surely she should have told them to consider one may be a traitor amongst them," as another agreed: "Claudia has just let 4 faithfuls know that they’re not traitors #Celebritytraitors." But other viewers shut down claims that Claudia had given the game away after it had previously been explained that a Traitor could be among the four chosen contestants. Maya, James and Hannah had all declined to take part in the game of hide-and-seek. A Celeb Traitors fan pointed out: "One of the Traitors can put themselves up for murder though..."
