Wool should be banished from Claudia Winkleman's Traitors' wardrobe, animal rights activists say

PETA have called on The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman to 'banish' wool from her wardrobe. The 54-year-old presenter's outfits on the hit BBC series have become iconic and frequently feature chunky knitwear since filming takes place in the chilly surroundings of the Scottish Highlands. In a letter to the show's producers, the animal rights activists say they want Winkleman to 'be the shield animals deserve' by swapping out sheep's wool, mohair and cashmere for 'stylish and environmentally friendly plant-wool knits'.'Every woolly garment worn on The Traitors promotes an industry that betrays gentle sheep, goats, and other animals, who are pinned down and cut to ribbons for their fleeces,' PETA Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen said. 'PETA is urging producers to stay faithful to Claudia's iconic look with fabulous animal-free knits instead.'The letter, seen by the Daily Mail, reads: 'Sheep are gentle, clever individuals who can remember the faces of at least 50 other sheep and even recognise emotions on human faces,' the letter reads. 'Like us, sheep can feel optimistic or pessimistic and learn from past experiences. Loyal sheep form strong social bonds, have best friends, and feel anxious when away from their flock.'When it comes to wool, it's humans who are often the traitors.' The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman rocks a jumper and woollen skirt combo during an episode of the latest seriesThe letter continues: 'And there is one final betrayal: when their wool production drops, sheep don't retire to a sanctuary. 'At around just six years old, they're crammed on slaughterhouse-bound lorries where their throats are slit, and their bodies are dismembered.'The BBC have been contacted for comment. The Celebrity Traitors concluded on a high on Friday night as the grand final drew in a record-breaking 11.2 million viewers – despite garnering mixed reviews. Fans of the hit BBC One series tuned in to see Faithfuls Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian 'Bash' Croft crowned the winners after successfully banishing Traitors Maya Jama and King Kenny at the final hour.And while critics claimed the final episode was 'underwhelming' and 'anticlimactic', the nail-biting conclusion drew the biggest UK overnight and consolidated TV audiences of 2026 so far.The show is primarily filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, set in over 100 acres of parkland on the banks of the River Alness, located about 25–30 miles north of Inverness.PETA's Senior Vice President of Programmes, Mimi Bekhechi, said: 'Today, animal wool can easily be replaced by natural plant wools made from cotton, hemp, bamboo, wood pulp, soybean fabric, and more. Romesh Ranganathan (lkeft) and Sebastian 'Bash' Croft (right) were crowned the winners of the Celebrity Traitors, splitting the prize of £83,000 for their chosen charities 'There is no justification for hurting and killing animals for clothing when cruelty-free, stylish options are at our fingertips. 'The Traitors don't have to betray animals to look devilishly good - they can choose plant-based fashion that leaves animals in peace, and everyone a winner.'The Mail on Sunday yesterday exposed shocking conditions at multi-billion-pound dairy conglomerate Arla Foods, the largest supplier of milk to UK supermarkets, despite the company's reputation for 'holistic' farming that puts animal welfare first.While the firm's corporate website boasts glossy images of contented cows grazing in verdant meadows, accompanied by assurances of 'clean and comfortable resting areas', outdoor spaces, waterbeds and automated cow brushes – 'because sometimes a good scratch hits the spot'.But we revealed that workers at some of its 2,400 British farms have been filmed kicking cows as they lie helpless on the ground, dragging them across concrete floors with farm vehicles, and forcing them to sleep in straw caked with urine and faeces.Harrowing footage obtained by this newspaper also shows farmhands tearing a newborn calf from its mother just 25 minutes after birth, a fraction of the 24 hours recommended by the Government.Other sickening clips show workers urinating in cow pens and marching them to milking parlours in metal shackles.In one distressing scene, two workers take turns with a heavy pair of bolt cutters in a clumsy attempt to snap a metal screw protruding from a cow's eyelid as she flinches.