Maya Jama was reportedly the first star approached by producers of Celebrity Traitors, as the star-studded line-up for the second series was finally revealed on Saturday. The BBC officially announced the cast with a teaser trailer, confirming that Jerry Hall, Richard E Grant, and Romesh Ranganathan would also be heading to the castle.
Maya Jama Tops Producers' Wish List
The 31-year-old Love Island host was at the top of the producers' wish list due to her ability to attract a younger audience. She was reportedly willing to take a significant pay cut of £760,000 compared to her fee for hosting the ITV dating show, accepting the flat £40,000 rate after becoming a fan of the series while watching it with her boyfriend, footballer Rúben Dias.
A source told The Sun: 'She loved watching the first Celebrity Traitors series at home with boyfriend Rúben and is so excited to get filming. She can't wait to do some fibbing and be as deceitful as possible to try to win it.' The insider added: 'It has worked out perfectly that she can go straight from the Scottish castle to the villa in Majorca to film the summer Love Island series in June.'
Star-Studded Line-Up Arrives in Scotland
Just minutes after the line-up was announced, former supermodel Jerry Hall, 69, was spotted arriving in Inverness, preparing to head to the iconic Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands. The production crew appeared to ramp up security for the leggy blonde, as she was flanked by bodyguards when getting out of a car before disappearing into a black tent.
The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey, 22, came prepared for the bracing weather in a warm black fleece and appeared in good spirits while chatting with a member of airport staff. University Challenge host Amol Rajan, 42, was also dressed comfortably, shielding his eyes behind shades while carrying his luggage over his shoulder.
Full Cast Revealed
After months of speculation, the 19 names were finally revealed in a quirky new trailer. Alongside Maya Jama, Jerry Hall, Richard E Grant, and Romesh Ranganathan, the cast includes Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Ross Kemp, Bella Ramsey, and James Blunt. Comedians Rob Beckett, Joe Lycett, Joanna McNally, and James Acaster will also join, alongside Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock. The line-up is completed by mathematician Hannah Fry, broadcaster Amol Rajan, Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, prankster King Kenny, Industry star Myha'la, Heartstopper's Sebastian Croft, and My Mad Fat Diary's Sharon Rooney.
Set in airport arrivals, the trailer shows a line of actors standing with the iconic roundtable chalk boards revealing the names. In a hilarious nod to the show, many of the stars' names were spelt wrong, such as 'Rob Bucket', 'Miranda Heart', and 'Richardy Grant'.
Sharing the clip on Instagram, the BBC wrote: 'Host Claudia Winkleman will welcome an eclectic mix of people and personalities ranging from BAFTA and BRIT award winners through to social media stars plus some of the UK's most cherished actors, comedians, presenters and beyond as the celebrities question who they can and can't really trust, figure out who deserves to be banished and try to discover which of them is plotting murder under the cover of darkness.'
