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Producers behind BBC One’s highly anticipated reality series, Celebrity Traitors, went to extra lengths to ensure that this year’s cast experienced the psychological intensity of the game at its maximum. In a surprising move, the show’s team implemented a strict ban on one crucial aspect of daily life—access to time—during its recent filming at the iconic Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands. This bold decision aimed to fully immerse the 19 celebrities in the high-stakes world of alliances, deception, and betrayal.
A Unique Environment: Life Without Time
Contestants were deliberately deprived of any knowledge of the actual time throughout their stay in the castle. Nick Mohammed, widely recognized from his role in Ted Lasso, revealed on The Comedian’s Comedian podcast just how committed the production team was to this psychological twist. “We weren’t even allowed to know the time. When we were in the castle, you’d ask, ‘What’s the time?’ and they’d reply, ‘It’s Traitors time.’ That was their response. They are so clever, but in the best possible way,” Mohammed shared.
Alongside the time ban, celebrities were also required to surrender their electronic devices, leaving them with no access to the outside world or their usual routines. Mohammed noted that, aside from a single daily conversation with his children, all contestants were held in strict isolation to preserve the authenticity and intensity of the experience.
Stars Navigating Intense Psychological Games
The roster for this season includes household names like EastEnders actress Tameka Empson and Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway. The format pits participants against each other as either Traitors or Faithful, with the Faithful attempting to uncover the identities of the Traitors before falling victim to elimination.
Clare Balding, another high-profile contestant, described the environment as "intense" and "very challenging," highlighting how existing friendships—including with retired Olympic diver Tom Daley—were quickly tested. Speaking at the Goodwoof dog festival, Balding noted, “It is so intense, and you get completely obsessed with the game. The friendships you had before go out the window! That, for me, is very challenging because I like to be friends with everybody! It’s brutal, but I think I’m glad I did it. It will make good television, and there are some really strong moments.”
Even Jeopardy! host and television icon Stephen Fry weighed in on his own experience. In an interview on The Show People podcast, the Blackadder star called the show “emotionally violent” and compared it to a Chinese foot massage—“absolutely agony but you sort of want to do it again.” Although tight-lipped about spoilers, Fry said, “I am certainly not telling you if I am a Traitor or a Faithful. I am one or the other.”
A Competition Like No Other
Celebrity Traitors, set to air this autumn, not only promises intense drama but also provides a charitable twist. Up to £100,000 will be up for grabs, with the prize being donated to a charity of the winner’s choice after enduring the psychological and strategic challenges of the show.
Fans wanting to learn more about the show’s format and past developments can visit the official BBC page covering The Traitors, or follow regular updates from the Manchester Evening News, which recently published the official line-up for Celebrity Traitors 2025. You can also get an overview of what it’s like behind the scenes at Ardross Castle and how reality shows like this maintain secrecy by exploring coverage from outlets such as Radio Times and Digital Spy.
If you’re on Instagram or Twitter, searching the hashtag #TheTraitors or following host Claudia Winkleman’s official page often provides behind-the-scenes glimpses and cast reactions as well.
As anticipation builds for the autumn premiere, expectations are high for Celebrity Traitors to deliver not just gripping television, but a raw, psychologically-charged contest that pushes its star-studded cast to their limits—without ever letting them know what time it really is.
For more on The Traitors’ cast and updates, see the official BBC Traitors page, the latest news on Manchester Evening News, or sneak peeks from Radio Times."