Latest news with #ArdrossCastle
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC releases every episode of Australian reality show perfect for those waiting for The Celebrity Traitors
The BBC have released every episode of an Australian reality show that's perfect for those waiting for The Celebrity Traitors to air. Presented by Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman, The Traitors has become one of the biggest shows around the world. Launching spin-off series in the US and New Zealand, the show follows 'Faithfuls' seeking to discover the 'Traitors' and vote them out of the game to win. READ MORE: BBC star announces death of dad as she shares final moments in emotional tribute READ MORE: BBC Wimbledon viewers make same complaint over Clare Balding 'disruption' Featuring a number of thrilling challenges and tense meetings, the series has become a global phenomenon since its premiere in 2022. Airing in the autumn, the nine-part celebrity version will give contestants the chance to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. 19 celebrities from all walks of life are confirmed to be heading to the Scottish Highlands' Ardross Castle, including comedian Alan Carr, ITV presenter Kate Garraway and former QI host Sir Stephen Fry. With the agonising wait to see how the famous faces get on coming to an end soon, a new show that hit the iPlayer on Monday (July 7) could become viewers' new obsession. Initially airing on Australian streaming service Binge, Billion Dollar Playground premiered down under back in May. The series follows an elite team of luxury service professionals to the wealthy, fulfilling every wish of their ultra-rich clients' vacations. Teasing the work they do, lead concierge Salvatore said: 'Rich people want all kinds of things. If my guests want lobster for breakfast, they get it. They want a Lamborghini, no problem sir.' CEO Alex added: 'I've had to be a best friend, the servant and a downright slave. You can never tell these people 'no'. Our guests are the world 's elite. 'They're uber wealthy and highly demanding. To make the impossible possible, our team are available 24/7.' While many will link the series to Selling Sunset, the staff featured on Billion Dollar Playground are not afraid to lie and wear masks to get what they want. It may not be the most conventional series for Traitors fans, but patterns between the shows will form in viewers' brains faster than they may imagine. Every episode of Billion Dollar Playground is streaming now on the BBC iPlayer, with the first episode airing at 9pm on Monday, July 7, on BBC Three
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Traitors production crew forced to take drastic measures after being hit with 'nightmare' insect outbreak on set
The Traitors crew have had to take drastic measures after being hit with a 'nightmare' insect outbreak on set. Filming for the latest series has just wrapped - and proved to be worse for the crew this time around. According to reports, production were 'terrorised' by wildlife during filming at the Scottish Highlands' Ardross Castle. A source told The Sun: 'There are always challenges filming outdoors but this time is was worse than ever. 'The crew were having to wear nets over their heads to stop themselves from being bitten.' Normally, it's the contestants who are put through their paces - but this time it was those behind the camera who have had to deal with it. MailOnline have reached out to the BBC for comment. It comes after the BBC released a dramatic first-look trailer for the nine-part celebrity special version of The Traitors and confirmed who will be in the new series, after swirling rumours. The broadcaster has confirmed the exact list of celebrities who will transform into Traitors and Faithfuls. A variety of actors including; Stephen Fry, Ruth Codd, Celia Imrie, Tameka Empson and Mark Bonnar, are set to walk through the castle doors. The celebrities will attempt to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. 'We're incredibly lucky these brilliant people have said yes,' Claudia said. She gave an eerie warning, 'I'd love to say we'll take it easy on them and they'll just wander round the castle and eat toast for a couple of weeks but that would be a lie.' Also confirmed for the show are presenters Jonathan Ross, Clare Balding and Kate Garraway, Olympic diver Tom Daley, rugby player Joe Marler, historian and writer David Olusoga and YouTuber Niko Omilana. The new series is set to hit screens in Autumn this year on BBC One and iPlayer. In April, the stars were spotted as they touched down at Inverness Airport and filming on the spin-off series and backstabbing finally commenced. While former Traitors star, Diane Carson, who appeared on the iconic show's second series, shared what it takes to win the game. The former teacher famously took part alongside her son Ross - and in a cunning move, the two famously concealed being related from their fellow contestants. She told the Sun her advice to the new celeb participants: 'They should park their career and just get on with playing the game. It's important to have fun.' The Traitors became an instant hit with its first season and has continued to attract audiences ever since. Series three averaged 10.3 million viewers across the 12 instalments because the biggest unscripted series since I'm A Celebrity's 2022 season.
The Sun
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The Traitors chaos as iconic castle hit by ‘nightmare' plague of insects which put film crew ‘through hell'
TRAITORS might be a hellish experience for some contestants - but filming for the latest series has proved worse for the crew this time around. Filming has just wrapped on the civilian series of the show and it couldn't come a moment too soon for the crew who have been terrorised by Scottish wildlife. 2 The Scottish Highlands' Ardross Castle where the show is filmed has had a huge increase in tick population - not to mention midges and mosquitos - and the Traitors cast and crew have become well aware of it. They've had to take drastic measures to save themselves from an itchy month of torture. A source said: 'There are always challenges filming outdoors but this time is was worse than ever. 'The crew were having to wear nets over their heads to stop themselves from being bitten. 'And ticks were a nightmare - some became experts in getting them out of people's bodies fully. 'Normally it's the contestants that are put through their paces, but this time the crew went through hell.' The recent heatwaves have contributed to the increase in insect population. The BBC has been contacted for comment. Fans will still have a long wait to see either of the new series of The Traitors. While the celebrity version is set to air later this year, the third civilian version most likely won't debut until early 2026. Claudia Winkleman will return to host the show that has become a ratings smash and a worldwide hit for the BBC. Watch as original The Traitors star undergoes facelift for Olivia Attwood's ITV show after TV fame 2
CBS News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Inside the addictive world of "The Traitors" and Alan Cumming's viral style
Behind the scenes of "The Traitors" with Alan Cumming Behind the scenes of "The Traitors" Behind the scenes of "The Traitors" Inside the stone walls of Ardross Castle, reality television contestants are plotting betrayals, forming alliances and committing metaphorical murder, all while host Alan Cumming orchestrates the chaos in increasingly outrageous outfits. The Scottish castle serves as the backdrop for Peacock's hit reality series "The Traitors," which is currently filming its fourth season with a star-studded cast that includes Olympic figure skating icons Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir, NFL mom Donna Kelce, and favorites from "Big Brother," "Survivor" and "The Real Housewives" franchise. The Emmy-winning competition show's unique blend of deception and strategy has made it one of the most popular unscripted series on television, with Cumming's dramatic hosting style becoming a viral sensation. The production team uses the entire castle estate for elaborate missions designed to test contestants and provide opportunities to win money and immunity. "I think the way we do deceit is popular," said Ben Archard, the show's director. "It's just like a safe space. Right? It's a safe space for murdering. It's a safe space for deceit." The 2,000-acre estate provides the perfect setting for the backstabbing, betrayal, mystery and mayhem that define the series. Executive producer Sam Rees-Jones said the castle functions as "another character" in the show. "It has that feel of a murder mystery … For the players it gives that," Rees-Jones said. The castle's breakfast room has become particularly iconic as the location where contestants learn which players the traitors have "murdered" overnight. Cumming relishes the dramatic moment of smashing framed photos of eliminated contestants. "Like when I first started to do it, they're like, 'Oh no, that's too much.' And now it's like one of my things," Cumming said. Over three seasons, Cumming's wardrobe has evolved from "nice little tartan suits" to what he describes as "insane capes and weird dresses." Stylist Sam Spector creates intricate, "creepy glam" looks inspired by each episode's mission, including a pocket square made from a doll's head with bloody rhinestone eyes. "There has to be a little bit of kitsch and also glamour in each episode," Spector said. The show's most dramatic moments occur during the selection process, where Cumming taps chosen traitors on the shoulder in what he calls "full on psychological warfare." "I do a thing where I make sounds with my [sleeve] and like go past their ears and make sounds," Cumming explained. "It's very, very like [gentle tap]." The ritual has become so iconic that Cumming said people regularly ask him to demonstrate "the tap." Many of the show's catchphrases have entered popular culture, particularly Cumming's declaration: "You have received the most votes and are banished from the game." "It's great to have a catchphrase though," Cumming said. "And like when people say, 'I love the show,' I just leave them a little message: 'You have received the most votes and are banished!' And people are like 'Ahhhh!'"
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Celebrity Traitors star lifts lid on ‘intense' and ‘brutal' series – and lets slip which celeb is the smartest
SPORTS presenter Clare Balding says Celebrity Traitors saw the stars' friendships abandoned when they came together to take part in the BBC challenge show. She is one of 19 famous faces who've just finished filming the spin-off series at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highland for BBC One with Claudia Winkleman returning to host. And although many of the celebs had become quite pally over doing various shows and events together over the years, the long-standing loyalties counted for nothing. Talking at the Goodwoof event this week, Clare said: 'It is so intense, and you get completely obsessed with the game. "Obviously I knew quite a lot of them before I went in, but 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.' Clare was keeping quiet about whether she was a traitor or a faithful, and would only let slip one thing about one of her fellow competitors. She said: 'There are some people who are so clever. I mean, Nick Mohammed from Ted Lasso, he can solve problems and puzzles in like four and a half seconds. He's amazing. 'It was lovely to get more time to hang out with people like Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie, Charlotte Church who's an absolute superstar, and a really cool young singer called Cat Burns - I would not have met her and Ruth Cobb who's an actress in any other situation, and I loved that. 'Yeah it was great fun.' Clare also admitted that one of the main reasons she agreed to take part was because she was such a fan of The Traitors, which is currently filming its fourth 'civilian' series. She said: 'I wanted to do it because I wanted to experience the show, and I was really lucky they said yes to letting me. I think I was one of the first ones signed up actually, me and Stephen Fry.' Claudia Winkleman reveals BBC bosses have slapped her with a big rule ahead of first ever Celebrity Traitors Clare added: 'I wasn't even allowed to say I'd done Celebrity Traitors until they made the big announcement last week, and I certainly can't talk about any of the detail.' GARETH IN TIGHT SQUEEZE 7 GARETH MALONE will have no trouble hitting the high notes in the dangerously tight outfit he squeezes into for The Horne Section TV Show. The choirmaster makes a cameo appearance in the new series of the sitcom, which kicks off tonight on Channel 4. He stars alongside Taskmaster 's Alex Horne, who plays himself as a host of his own late-night chat show alongside his band, The Horne Section. Alex says the series involves 'six men who are nearly 50 years old, who should know better, but have been given a TV show, so we're mucking around, trying to make each other laugh'. Also taking part in the chaos are Ghosts star Kiell Smith- Bynoe and impressionist Ronni Ancona. Alex adds: 'It's really childish, it's very silly. We're just going to have a laugh.' Gareth's clearly on board with that mantra, too. GAVIN & Stacey star Rob Brydon plays divorcee Bill Beam, who staves off financial ruin by renting his spare rooms to students in a new show – Bill's Included. It's one of several new comedies announced by the Beeb which include Reluctant Vampire starring Bafta winner Lenny Rush. NAGA: I'M TROLLS' TARGET BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty has revealed that trolls love to have a pop at her appearance. She said: 'The number of times I've had comments like, 'You shouldn't be wearing that dress, you've got a bit of a belly'. 'People are quite happy to comment on social media. 'I'm very happy with my body. I'm fit, I'm strong, but women have bellies.' She added to Gabby Logan on her The Mid-Point podcast: 'You get a lot of nice comments, but women are expected to portray a certain aesthetic. 'And when you dress for news you have to be mindful that what you wear cannot be distracting. 'Women are more highly criticised and noticed.' GLAM LIZ IS A DEAD ZINGER 7 WHAT better way to exhume your career than in a coffin. That seems to be the motto of Liz Hurley who has just been announced as the leading lady on new Channel 4 show The Inheritance. The Austin Powers actress is being joined by Rob Rinder on the upcoming reality series, which sees 13 strangers summoned to a grand stately home. They have to compete for a chunk of the fortune left in the will of The Deceased, a rather glamorous woman, played, naturally, by our Liz. Rob plays her executor and legal counsel – which is understandable given he is a trained barrister and erstwhile Judge Rinder. He said: 'As The Executor I enforce the rules, keep the chaos in check – more or less – and make sure our players are deserving of every glittering penny left by our dearly departed deceased.' The show will air this autumn. TANYA'S BUNCH HUNCH THERE could well be a second series of The Bardsley Bunch – if Tanya Bardsley gets her way. The former Real Housewives Of Cheshire star reckons fans are chomping at the bit for a sequel to the reality show that focuses on her, hubby Phil, a former footballer, and their children. The mum of four said: 'It resonates with people because there's no filter with us. I've not had one bad comment. 'Kids can be little t****rs no matter how much you dress them up, but all the mums out there understand that. 'We're having talks about series two with ITV soon. No one else would employ me, so what else am I going to do? 'I got sacked when I was a cleaner, so this will be it!' SURANNE SHOW IS SPELLBINDING SURANNE JONES is to star in a TV drama about witchcraft – having becoming obsessed with the subject after making a documentary about the phenomenon. The Gentleman Jack actress has paired up with the production team behind Disney historical thriller series A Thousand Blows and Bafta-winning Sky comedy Mr Bigstuff. Suranne and her husband, producer Laurence Akers, are both fascinated by the supernatural and were spurred on to make the show after co-creating last summer's Channel 4 documentary, Investigating Witch Trials. The drama is in its early stages but is expected to go into production within months. Though they have yet to attach it to a channel, the creators say the biggest hurdle is financing it. Tom Miller, of production firm Water and Power, told the British Television Society: 'We're currently developing a TV drama with Suranne and Laurence about witchcraft. 'Increasingly, as we build a reputation, we get sent books and scripts, though developing them can be expensive. 'We don't have backers — we're completely independent — so we have to bear development costs.' Two-parter Investigating Witch Trials saw Suranne exploring the stories behind the infamous 17th century prosecutions for witchcraft. She delved into the myths surrounding sorcery while exploring the historic witch trials and the super-natural in England, America and beyond. And she also exposed how age-old prejudices still affect women today. She said: 'For as long as I can remember, I've been intrigued by the idea of witches. I would love to be cast as a witch. 'When I was younger I didn't gravitate towards princesses, I loved fairy tales and folklore. 'But I loved witches and the wild women who got their hands dirty.' I'd roll your sleeves up now, Suranne — you'll have channels and streamers banging on your door for this drama.
