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The BBC has a new ratings phenomenon on its hands as The Celebrity Traitors has officially overtaken Strictly Come Dancing to become the UK’s most-watched TV series.
The launch episode of the celebrity spin-off pulled in an astonishing 12 million viewers across all platforms, a record-breaking figure that cements its place as one of the most successful entertainment debuts in recent years.
Airing last Wednesday on BBC One, the show’s live broadcast peaked at 6.5 million viewers, but after catch-up and on-demand figures were added, the total soared to 12 million, making it the most-watched unscripted TV episode since 2022.
The show’s triumph means it has officially overtaken Strictly Come Dancing, which also stars host Claudia Winkleman, as the broadcaster’s biggest entertainment hit. Last weekend’s Strictly drew 6.9 million live viewers, while The Celebrity Traitors reached a midweek peak of 7.1 million.
The series, filmed in the Scottish Highlands, has captivated audiences with its mix of tension, strategy, and celebrity drama. Based on the original format that took Britain by storm, the celebrity version sees famous faces playing the ultimate game of deception, as “Faithfuls” and “Traitors” battle to outwit each other and claim a huge cash prize for charity.
Among the star-studded cast are Clare Balding, AJ Odudu, Rylan Clark, David Harewood, and Zoe Ball, whose alliances and betrayals have already become the talk of social media.
Celebrity Traitors has become Britain’s most-watched show, beating Strictly - Credit: BBC
Wednesday night’s episode saw yet another dramatic turn, with Clare Balding becoming the fifth “Faithful” in a row to be banished, sparking gasps and frustration from viewers. Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their disbelief, with one writing:
“Clare getting banished AGAIN just proves no one can be trusted in that castle!”
Another fan commented:
“Claudia Winkleman deserves a BAFTA for how she delivers those elimination scenes, pure drama!”
The show’s success marks another huge win for the BBC, proving that audiences still crave appointment-to-watch television in an era dominated by streaming. The Celebrity Traitors has managed to combine classic game show intrigue with a reality TV twist that appeals to both younger and older viewers.
Media analysts say the record-breaking numbers demonstrate how powerful the Traitors brand has become since its debut in 2022. The original version, featuring members of the public, quickly developed a cult following and was praised for its production quality, gripping format, and Claudia Winkleman’s masterful hosting.
A BBC insider told The Mirror:
“The Celebrity Traitors has been a dream hit. We knew people loved the original, but this has taken things to a whole new level. Claudia has done it again; she’s officially the queen of BBC primetime.”
The show has also dominated iPlayer, where it has consistently topped the streaming charts since its premiere. Viewers are bingeing the episodes, desperate to find out who’s lying, who’s loyal, and who will make it to the final round.
With the show’s explosive popularity, talk has already turned to a second celebrity series, and perhaps even international versions featuring global stars. For now, though, The Celebrity Traitors has firmly taken the crown as the UK’s favourite TV obsession.
As one viewer perfectly summed it up online:
“Forget Strictly, Bake Off, and Love Island, this is the TV event of the year.”
