The Traitors is as iconic for Claudia Winkleman’s signature look of autumnal tartan, fingerless gloves and that fringe as it is for ritual backstabbing.
But from drag queens to Catholic nuns, her opposite numbers across the 30-odd iterations of the show worldwide have made the cape their own.
USA
Channelling imperious Bond villain in a kilt, suave Scottish actor Alan Cumming hosts the US version of The Traitors.
He is perhaps best known across the pond for roles in superhero films and, yes, as a Bond villain in Goldeneye.
Suave Scottish actor Alan Cumming hosts the US version of The Traitors
Cumming, 60, relishes his role as gothic ringmaster, with no small dose of camp.
Notable contestants include former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow (who gained an international following for his cries of ‘order’ during the Brexit debates) and Love Island graduates Maura Higgins and Ekin-Su Culculoglu.
Ireland
The Irish spin-off’s answer to Claudia will be familiar to British viewers as the sardonic, side-eye-giving Sister George Michael of Derry Girls fame.
Siobhan McSweeney, 46, goes for gothic glam, lamenting that ‘you can’t wear jeans and a nice top in a castle
Actress Siobhan McSweeney, 46, goes for gothic glam, lamenting that ‘you can’t wear jeans and a nice top in a castle’.
The castle in question is not Ardross in the Highlands but bleakly imposing Slane Castle on the River Boyne.
Finland
Few drag queens would have taken the helm of The Traitors, let alone Top Gear, but Finland is a country that likes to do things their way.
Actor and comedian Christoffer Strandberg, 36, has presented the Finnish motorshow as himself, as he does The Traitors (or Petolloiset), but his Instagram shows him as a more than convincing Marilyn Monroe complete with platinum blond tresses and scarlet cocktail dress.
The Finnish Traitors has been beset by a real-life murder. In October 2024, series two contestant and ex-ice hockey player Janne Puhakka, 29, was shot by his former partner Rolf Nordmo, 66, who is now serving a life sentence.
Two days after Janne’s funeral, the final episode paid tribute to him with a video montage.
Australia
The Traitors Australia was a ratings flop and Channel 10 banished the show in 2024 after just two series.
Glamorous Noughties presenter of Australian Big Brother Gretel Killeen, 62, presents the show
But it is back, and producers hope that the glamorous Noughties presenter of Australian Big Brother Gretel Killeen, 62, will hold greater appeal as the wearer of Claudia’s cape than buff actor Rodger Corser, 52.
New Zealand
Known for his robust views on asylum seekers and political correctness, gruff Paul Henry was never going to don a mantle as host of the first two seasons of The Traitors NZ.
Instead, he presented the show as more of a Mob boss in a black fedora.
Paul Henry presented the show as more of a Mob boss in a black fedora
But the third series is headed for a lighter touch as Henry, 65, relinquishes the role to comic Madeleine Sami, 45, – much-loved presenter of The Great Kiwi Bake Off, and ex-partner of rock star Ladyhawke with whom she has a daughter.
Germany
Taking the controls of the German version Die Varrater is former first officer of Lufthansa airlines Sonja Zietlow.
Taking the controls of the German version Die Varrater is former first officer of Lufthansa airlines Sonja Zietlow
The 57-year-old worked for the German carrier before a TV career beckoned, in which she’s presented Teutonic adaptations of I’m A Celebrity and The Weakest Link.
Like its American cousin, Die Varrater only features celebrities, and the third season included Motsi Mabuse.
The Strictly judge, 44, made her name on the German version of the ballroom show before she was pinched by the BBC.
