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BBC Reveals Alan Cumming Was First Choice to Host The Traitors UK as Scotland Became Its Home

Kate Phillips says the decisions help explain the BBC hit’s rapid rise.

Overview

  • BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips said the broadcaster asked Alan Cumming to present the UK version but he was unavailable because the U.S. series filmed first.
  • Phillips said both the BBC and U.S. editions are produced by Studio Lambert, with cross‑territory schedules shaping the UK host choice.
  • She disclosed that producers initially eyed Costa Rica, but the BBC pushed for filming in the UK, leading to Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
  • Phillips chose Claudia Winkleman after other options were considered and said Winkleman was initially reluctant to front a celebrity edition before embracing it.
  • The BBC reported that the Celebrity Traitors finale drew about 11.1 million average viewers with a peak of 12 million, underscoring the format’s broad appeal.