The nation has been glued to their screens this week as Celebrity Traitors, the star-studded spin-off of the BBC’s wildly popular The Traitors, stormed onto BBC One. Hosted by the inimitable Claudia Winkleman, this glitzy version of the psychological game show has brought high drama, betrayal, and a surprising revelation about the stars’ paychecks. While the show mirrors the original’s rules and is filmed in the same iconic Scottish castle, there’s one major difference: the celebrities are handsomely compensated for their scheming. But the accommodations? Let’s just say they’re not quite as glamorous as the stars might have hoped.
Unlike the civilian version of The Traitors, where contestants receive a modest £100 per day to cover expenses, the celebrity edition comes with a significantly larger payday. According to the Daily Mail, every star on Celebrity Traitors pockets a flat fee of £40,000—no negotiations, no exceptions. This mirrors the payment structure of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, where all participants are paid equally, regardless of their fame. It’s a stark contrast to ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! or Celebrity Big Brother, where stars can haggle for higher fees based on their star power.
The hefty paycheck has raised eyebrows, especially considering the show’s creators reportedly only wanted household names like Alan Carr, Stephen Fry, and Kate Garraway to ensure maximum star wattage. But while the pay is impressive, the accommodations are anything but.
In a twist that’s left some celebrities stunned, the A-listers are reportedly staying at the same budget hotel as their civilian counterparts: the £80-per-night Courtyard by Marriott, located near the show’s filming location. A source told the Daily Mail, “They must have had a shock—some of them would never have stayed anywhere that s*** before. It was hardly salubrious.” For stars accustomed to five-star luxury, this no-frills lodging likely came as a rude awakening, adding an extra layer of grit to their Traitors experience.
The drama isn’t just confined to the show’s intense roundtable discussions and clandestine betrayals. The first episode saw singer Paloma Faith become the inaugural victim of the Traitors’ deadly plot, “murdered” by her close friend and comedian Alan Carr. Alongside talk show host Jonathan Ross and chart-topping singer Cat Burns, Alan was chosen as a Traitor by Claudia Winkleman and tasked with eliminating a Faithful. His choice to “poison” Paloma has sparked a firestorm both on and off the screen.
According to the Mirror, Paloma was left “fuming” after her early exit, feeling deeply betrayed by her showbiz pal. “She threw a wobbly afterwards about being the first to go,” an insider revealed. “Paloma was fuming when she discovered who had betrayed her. She couldn’t work out what had actually happened, and when she found out the details, it only made her feel worse.” Known for her candid personality, Paloma didn’t hold back on Uncloaked, the show’s after-show hosted by Ed Gamble. “These are like three of my favourite people… I hope they never call me again,” she quipped, visibly shocked to learn Alan, Jonathan, and Cat were the Traitors. She even took a swipe at Cat, noting their shared manager and joking, “She’s on the same record label as me, and she should have some loyalty.”
Paloma’s frustration peaked when she declared she wouldn’t have targeted Alan if their roles were reversed. “I don’t think he should have done it to me, and I’m surprised that he did,” she said, her disappointment palpable.
The first episode set the tone for what promises to be a rollercoaster of deception and drama. With Claudia Winkleman steering the ship, Celebrity Traitors has already delivered shocking eliminations, heated exchanges, and plenty of intrigue. The Traitors—Alan Carr, Jonathan Ross, and Cat Burns—are playing a dangerous game, while the Faithful scramble to uncover their identities. As the fallout from Paloma’s exit continues to ripple, viewers are left wondering who will be the next to fall in this high-stakes game of trust and treachery.
With a flat £40,000 fee for every star and a budget hotel as their temporary home, Celebrity Traitors proves that fame doesn’t always come with luxury—but it certainly comes with drama. Stay tuned as the nation remains hooked on this addictive blend of betrayal, star power, and budget accommodations.