Courteney Cox is reportedly being lined up as the first signing for a celebrity version of The Traitors.
The actress, 59, is good pals with the host of the show, Claudia Winkleman, 52, and it claimed bosses are hoping their friendship will convince Courteney to sign up.
American star Courteney was known around the world for playing Monica Geller in hit sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004.
Insiders have claimed producers are hoping to have the choice of a number of big stars who are themselves fans of the reality programme following the success of the first two series, which featured previously unknown contestants.
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘The fact the producers have a star from Friends in their sights shows the kind of calibre of famous faces Celebrity Traitors is aiming for.
Courteney Cox is reportedly being lined up as the first signing for a celebrity version of The Traitors
The actress, 59, is good pals with the host of the show, Claudia Winkleman, 52 (pictured), and it claimed bosses are hoping their friendship will convince Courteney to sign up
American star Courteney was known around the world for playing Monica Geller in hit sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004 (Courteney seen as Monica, left, alongside her Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green in 1994)
‘After the show was announced, producers were swamped with calls from big names and their agents wanting to throw their hat in the ring — many of them a big surprise.
‘Courteney has always been a fan of the show, particularly as the British version has her mate Claudia fronting it.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBC and a representative for Courteney for comment.
Last month it was reported producers were likely to be eyeing up stars such as Wagatha Christie rivals Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy.
Others on the potential roster are said to be former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who finished third in 2022’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, and Match of the Day host and former footballer Gary Lineker.
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Bosses want big names as the show is getting big viewing figures, and they know they’ll have plenty to choose from as The Traitors has huge fans within the showbiz world…
‘But they also want stars who are likely to be great game-players and who have great survival skills, the ability to double-cross or a way of sniffing out a back-stabber.
‘Rumours of a celebrity series have naturally swirled since The Traitors launched in 2022 and the show became an instant hit — but they have been unfounded gossip until now.’
The Traitors host Claudia (left) is good friends with actress Courteney (right), with the pair being seen together in London last month
Courtney has previously appeared in a skit for The Traitors in which she begged Claudia to let her take part
Courteney insisted she was a fan of the show as she appeared in the skit ahead of series two, which aired last month
The insider added that BBC bosses wanted the civilian version of the show to become well established before they started work on planing out a celebrity version.
However, the first two series have proved such successes that telly bigwigs have apparently decided to push on with the celebrity spin-off.
‘They’re shooting for the stars too,’ the insider added. ‘Because they don’t see why they can’t attract the same calibre of people that currently sign up for Strictly and I’m A Celebrity.’
MailOnline contacted the BBC for comment.
The Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman has previously said she hoped some big names would appear on a celebrity version of the show.
Naming some people she would like to see appear, she said: ‘Victoria Coren, Kirsty Young, Adam Woodyatt, Stephen Fry, Alison Hammond… let’s do that.’
It comes after The Traitors winner Harry Clark reportedly turned down Celebrity Big Brother, despite being offered £250,000 to star on the show.
Harry gripped the nation with his tactful performance in the BBC show as he stole the £95,150 winnings from the faithfuls.
However despite the ITV reality show offering him more than double his prize money, The Sun has revealed the army corporal has chosen to turn the opportunity down.
It comes after Harry signed to talent agency Inter Talent earlier this week after meeting with over 15 different agencies.
It is claimed producers are hoping to have the choice some big stars who are fans of the reality show, including Wagatha Christie rivals Coleen Rooney (left) and Rebekah Vardy (right) (pictured during the trial in May 2022)
The Traitors presenter Claudia has previously said she hoped some big names would appear on a celebrity version of the show, including Andrew Garfield (pictured last month)
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock (right), who finished third in 2022’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker (left) are also suggested names
Claudia has also said she would love This Morning host Alison Hammond to appear on a celebrity version of The Traitors (Alison pictured on This Morning last month)
An inside source told the publication: ‘Just like his time on the whodunnit show, he is being incredibly shrewd about every move he makes and wants to play the long game.
‘He’s made no bones about the fact he fancies doing reality TV. And although he was incredibly flattered by the offer, Celebrity Big Brother didn’t feel like the right project for him.
‘He’s now got expert guidance from one of the best talent agencies in the country after having no less than 16 companies approach him to broker deals on his behalf.’
Harry’s representatives told MailOnline they were unable to comment.
The Traitors winner Harry Clark, 23, has reportedly rejected a £250,000 offer for major reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother as he signs with talent agency
