Joe Lycett thought he wouldn’t get on with ‘certain people’ on Celebrity Traitors

| Senior TV Reporter Published September 3, 2026 4:57pm Updated September 3, 2026 4:57pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The highly anticipated second season of Celebrity Traitors is just around the corner – and one contestant is already spilling the tea. It’s the most coveted cast on reality TV, with famous faces from across the industry all clamouring to get a spot in the Highlands castle to play a daring game of backstabbing, betrayal and deceit – helmed by the inimitable Claudia Winkleman. After Alan Carr swooped to a treacherous victory last year in one of the most epic finales ever, now it’s the new cohort’s turn to try and rise victorious, whether a Traitor or a Faithful. The class of 2026, made up of 21 stars total, includes actors Bella Ramsey, Michael Sheen and Richard E. Grant, broadcasters Maya Jama and Amol Rajan, and comedians like Miranda Hart and the one and only Joe Lycett. The 38-year-old is known for his sharp tongue, sarcastic humour and mischief-making. No doubt the TV star will be ready to cause some mischief and havoc during the new episodes – no matter which role he ends up playing. Not least because it sounds like he went in sceptical of his fellow castmates. There are 21 stars in the new Celebrity Traitors cast (Picture: BBC) But Joe Lycett was not 100% sure about his Traitors co-stars before he started (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) Appearing on Hits Radio Breakfast Show, he said of his co-stars: ‘I got on with everyone, and I thought there were certain people I wouldn’t get on with when I saw the line-up.’ Although he kept exactly who he had raised an eyebrow at close to his chest, luckily, the situation turned out for the best once they arrived in Scotland. ‘You don’t know the line-up, but I think they published it two days before we went in, and I was like: “Oh God”. I talked about actors, and there were loads of them, but there wasn’t a single person in there that I didn’t get on with,’ he added. Although the BBC valiantly attempted to keep the cast under wraps for as long as possible, it seems they were fighting a losing battle, as Joe joked. First he managed to confirm his friend Joanne McNally was on board, and soon enough, the comedian grapevine had revealed who was in and who was out. The new season also features stars like Michael Sheen and Maya Jama (Picture: BBC) ‘We weren’t meant to ask people if they were doing it – you sign the NDA and they say don’t tell anyone you’re doing it, but if you search the word “traitors” in my WhatsApp I told everyone! I was telling Uber drivers, I was telling everyone,’ he shared. Despite Joe’s habit of telling everyone and their mother about his appearance in the show, for the most part celebrities have kept tight-lipped about what to expect. In June, Richard was grilled about it on The One Show, and let more slip than he wished when asked if he had sought advice from his friend and former contestant, Celia Imrie. ‘I said: “Celia, what is the thing that you can’t be prepared for?” She said, “The cruelty of people who you instinctively want to trust”. ‘Like in a room like this and suddenly every single person suspects you. I think that’s a very accurate thing to have said.’ Deals of the Day Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind Book Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Tignes for less in Club Med's ski sale Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale The viral LED face mask with over 350 lights that's currently discounted by £100 Time will tell exactly what he means. Arrow MORE: When is Casualty back on TV? Return date as 40th anniversary episodes near Arrow MORE: Race Across The World winner reveals he no longer talks to family after feud ‘boiled over’ Arrow MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Nadiya Bychkova ‘complained to BBC about abusive colleague’ TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.