Stephen Fry on His ‘Emotionally Violent’ Time on Celebrity Traitors

Stephen Fry gave an insight into his ’emotionally violent’ stint on Celebrity Traitors this week. 

Celebrity Traitors will once again be hosted by Claudia Winkleman with the line-up of contestants making their way to Ardross Castle for filming in April. 

The comedian, 67, likened his time on the series to ‘a Chinese foot massage’ as he praised the programme. 

Speaking on The Show People podcast, Stephen explained: ‘It was a bit like a Chinese foot massage. You know it is absolutely agony but you sort of want to do it again. It is emotionally violent but you kind of love it.

‘Obviously, I can’t say a word about what is in this recently recorded celebrity version I suppose. I am certainly not telling you if I am a traitor or a faithful. I am one or the other.

‘I have said no to any number of Strictlys and Get Me Out of Heres as it is just not my kind of thing. But this, I watched the first and second series and it is such a clever game.’ 

Stephen Fry gave an insight into his ’emotionally violent’ stint on Celebrity Traitors this week (pictured in December 2024)

Celebrity Traitors will once again be hosted by Claudia Winkleman (pictured) with the line-up of contestants making their way to Ardross Castle in April for filming

He added: ‘It’s so extraordinary what it does to the psychology of the individual. And I just thought it would be really interesting to play it. And what an opportunity to do so. And that’s what I found.’ 

The celebrities who will transform into Traitors and Faithfuls include a variety of actors; Stephen, Ruth Codd, Celia Imrie, Tameka Empson and Mark Bonnar. 

Comedians Alan Carr, Nick Mohammed, Joe Wilkinson and Lucy Beaumont will also take part, joining singers Paloma Faith, Cat Burns and Charlotte Church.

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. 

Missing from the confirmed line-up was actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders, who was heavily rumoured to be taking part.  

Comedian Lucy became the last star to sign  up for the show following her shock split from fellow comedian Jon Richardson.

The Award-winning funny woman, 40, is said to be keen to ‘make more of a name for herself’ with audiences.

Olympic diving star Tom Daley is among the celebrities now confirmed for the show, and heading up to Scotland 

Also joining the star-studded cast for the BBC show are singers Paloma Faith and Cat Burns

Singer Charlotte is also going into the castle to compete as a Traitor or a Faithful 

British presenter Jonathan Ross is among those on the cast, and it will be his first job with the BBC in 14 years 

As excitement increases for the Celebrity Traitors, BBC bosses took extra precautions to keep the cast under wraps ahead of its reveal, following a series of leaks.  

According to The Sun, executives put in place a military-style operation to transport the all-star cast to Ardross Castle. 

Instead of flying into Inverness Airport from their homes across the globe, the celebrities travelled by several means including rail, air, car, and boat. 

And a no-fly zone was officially in place over host Claudia’s Highlands HQ to stop drone photographers from securing any images. 

The Celebrity Traitors will air in Autumn 2025, on BBC One and iPlayer.