BBC content boss Kate Phillips has revealed that Claudia Winkleman was not the first choice to host the hit show The Traitors. Speaking on Richard Osman's The Rest is Entertainment podcast, Phillips disclosed that the network initially approached Alan Cumming for the role.
Phillips explained that Cumming, a popular Scottish actor, had already been signed to host the American version of the show. However, scheduling conflicts prevented him from taking on the UK edition. 'We did actually, full disclosure, ask Alan if he would do it. But he couldn't do it with our dates because America were going first and then we were going and he had another job,' she said.
After Cumming declined, Phillips thought of Winkleman, with whom she had worked on Strictly Come Dancing. 'I just thought of Claudia, as I'd worked with her on Strictly. And the thing about Claudia on Strictly is she's brilliant on that show but she's brilliant because she's interested in the people more than the dancing,' Phillips said. She added that she rang Winkleman, a good friend, who was open to new challenges.
Phillips also revealed that the show's iconic Scottish castle location was nearly very different. The concept originated in Holland, and the initial plan was to film in Costa Rica. However, BBC bosses wanted the production closer to home, leading to the selection of the Scottish castle.
Discussing the recent Celebrity Traitors special, Phillips noted that no one expected Joe Marler to be such a crowd pleaser. She confirmed that Alan Carr, the winner, needed some persuading to take part and only agreed on the condition that he would not be a traitor—a promise Phillips could not make. Despite his initial reluctance, Carr turned out to be 'the best traitor of all,' and his victory scenes were hailed as the TV scene of the year by viewers.
