james acaster is among the names being linked to the next Celebrity Traitors series as filming is set to begin in Scotland at the end of April and then continue in May. Claudia Winkleman has said the cast has already been confirmed, but the has not yet made a formal line-up announcement. The latest round of rumours places james acaster alongside other high-profile names as attention turns to the 2026 return of the show.
Filming set to start in Scotland
The new Celebrity Traitors series is due to film in Scotland at the end of April, with a separate report saying production begins in May for the second series. Winkleman has said the guest list was already confirmed before filming in the Highlands, and she described the people involved as “extraordinary” when speaking on The One Show in March. She also said viewers should expect “big dogs” in the cast, a phrase that quickly added to the sense that the next line-up will be a major talking point.
The public list has not been officially released, but james acaster is one of the names being tipped to join the castle. Other names mentioned in the same set of rumours include Hugh Bonneville and Richard E Grant, while another report places Peter Crouch and Danny Dyer in the mix. Alison Hammond has also been named in the circulating line-up claims.
What Claudia Winkleman has said
Winkleman said she was struck by the strength of the confirmed cast and that she had to hear the names repeated to her because she could hardly believe them. She told viewers that she was “very excited” about the series and said she remained grateful that people want to play the game. Her comments have fueled the sense that Celebrity Traitors is being built around a stronger and more recognizable group of contestants than many expected.
The discussion around james acaster has also intensified because the rumoured line-up is being framed around big names with broad recognition. In that context, the comedian’s inclusion has drawn attention as fans wait for the broadcaster’s official confirmation.
Why the new series matters
The first celebrity series pulled in a large audience and helped establish the format as a major TV event. That success is part of why the second series is now being watched so closely, with the next cast seen as central to whether the momentum continues.
One former participant, Peter Capaldi, has already ruled himself out, saying the level of exposure would be too much. That leaves the field open for the names still being discussed, including james acaster, as the series moves toward filming and the next official announcement. What happens next will depend on which of the rumoured names are finally confirmed when Celebrity Traitors returns in 2026.
