The Traitors‘ bosses are reportedly hoping Claudia Winkleman may pull in some of her A-list friends to star in the celebrity series.
The host, 52, boasts Courteney Cox, 59, in her inner circle – and the Hollywood actress is a huge fan of the show.
Claudia’s friendship with the A-list star, who is best known for playing Monica Geller in Friends, has surprised fans who have questioned how they became pals.
MailOnline takes a look at how they became pals and if we could see Courteney take up the masked cloak on our screens soon.
How are Claudia and Courteney friends?
The Traitors ‘ bosses are reportedly hoping Claudia Winkleman may pull in some of her A-list friends for the celebrity series (pictured with Courteney Cox last month)
Courteney Cox is reportedly being lined up as the first signing for a celebrity version of The Traitors (Courtney, left, pictured with The Traitors host and friend Claudia Winkleman)
Last month, the duo enjoyed lunch in Mayfair together with their respective partners; Claudia’s husband Kris Thykier, who is a film producer, and Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid, 47.
Courteney has been with Johnny since 2013 after being introduced by Ed Sheeran who was Johnny’s flatmate at the time.
The pair split their time between the UK and America and it is thought Courteney first became friends with Claudia through her relationship with Johnny, who lives in London.
Of her long distance relationship with partner Johnny, Courteney said: ‘As long as you have trust, then I think it doesn’t matter where you are. You can be yourself and yet be excited when you see each other.’
Last year, Courteney even helped Claudia with a BBC promo video for the show where they asked for applications for series two of the show.
Courtney Cox’s long-term partner who is Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid and lives in London. It is thought the actress met Claudia through him
In the video, Claudia appeared alongside a hooded figure as she made the announcement.
She said: ‘I have some news. Traitors series 2 is coming, would you like to get involved? Just visit BBC Take Part page and I might see you in the castle.’
Courteney then revealed herself by pulling her hood down and asking: ‘Claudia, can I please do it?’
Claudia replied: ‘I’ve said to you before, no. You cannot apply if you’re a celebrity or as famous as this one. Now, off you go.’
Several Twitter users were impressed with the reveal, with one writing: ‘You’d never be able to guess who was under the cape’.
Another said: ‘Claudia and Courteney? I was not expecting that one,’ while a third added: ‘Did not expect this reveal’.
Claudia previously said of her friendships with her close female friends in an interview with The Telegraph: ‘Friendships with my girlfriends might be the thing I’m most proud of. I have got a gang of girls and they’ve been my best friends for ever, and we talk all the time.
‘We don’t do grand things – “let’s all get dressed up and go out”. I mean, obviously, we have done that over the years, but now that we’re all 50 it’s a lot of chatting on the phone, or a cup of tea, or a pop-round. They’re vital to my existence. ‘
Will Courteney appear on The Traitors?
Courtney previously appeared in a skit for The Traitors in which she begged Claudia to let her take part
The actress is best known for her role as Monica Geller in Friends (clockwise from left Matthew Perry, Matt Le Blanc, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow and Courteney)
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.
‘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.
Who else is rumoured to appear on the all stars series?
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 insider added BBC bosses wanted the civilian version of the show to become well established before they started work on planning out a celebrity version.
Adam Woodyatt
EastEnders’ actor Adam is on Claudia’s wish-list
Age: 55
Best known for: The actor is known for his role as Ian Beale in EastEnders, a role he has portrayed since the show’s inception in 1985.
Victoria Coren Mitchell
Victoria is a quiz master and professional poker player
Age: 51
Best known for: Victoria has presenter Only Connect since 2008. She is married to David Mitchell.
Andrew Garfield
Andrew has won numerous accolades as an actor
Age: 40
Best known for: Andrew gained wider recognition for playing Spider-Man and has received a BAFTA, Golden Globe and Tony Award.
Stephen Fry
Claudia thinks Stephen would be the perfect celebrity for the all stars line-up
Age: 66
Best known for: Stephen is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer.
Stars producers are ‘eyeing up’
Coleen Rooney
Coleen Rooney was labelled Wagatha Christie due to her super sleuthing
Age: 37
Best known for: WAG. Coleen, who is married to Wayne, has become the main breadwinner of the family after lucrative projects following Wagatha Christie.
Matt Hancock
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has already starred in reality TV
Age: 45
Best known for: Former Health Secretary Matt has since starred on reality TV with I’m A Celebrity and Celebrity SAS.
Rebekah Vardy
Rebekah Vardy lost the Wagatha Christie trial and is no stranger to reality TV
Age: 42
Best known for: WAG. In 2022, she lost a well-publicised libel case against Coleen Rooney, dubbed the Wagatha Christie trial.
Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker is a firm favourite in the sports world, will he be the perfect traitor?
Age: 63
Best known for: Footballer. Lineker is the only player to have been the top goalscorer in England with three clubs: Leicester City, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. He now presents Match Of The Day.
Traitors fans
Zoe Ball
Claudia’s BBC Radio colleague Zoe Ball is a big fan of the show
Age: 53
Best known for: Zoe was the first female host of the Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows for the BBC.
Andrew Scott
Andrew has won awards for his acting skills
Age: 47
Best known for: For his roles in Sherlock, Fleabag, Spectre and All Of Us Strangers.
Claire Foy
Claire won awards for her portrayal of the young Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown
Age: 39
Best known for: Claire won awards for her portrayal of the young Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix drama series The Crown.
Matty Healy
Matty is the lead vocalist and principal songwriter of indie art pop band the 1975
Age: 34
Best known for: Matty is the lead vocalist and principal songwriter of indie art pop band the 1975
