Maya Jama was reportedly the first star to be approached by Celebrity Traitors bosses in a bid to pull in a younger audience.
The series two cast was officially announced on Saturday, with Jerry Hall, Richard E Grant and Romesh Ranganathan among the stars heading to the castle.
Maya was top of the producers’ wish list due to her ability to pull in a younger audience thanks to her Love Island hosting duties.
The 31-year-old was more than willing to take a huge £760,000 pay cut compared to her fee hosting the ITV dating show.
She is said to have took the £40,000 rate after falling in love with the series while watching it with her boyfriend Rúben Dias.
A source said: ‘She loved watching the first Celebrity Traitors series at home with boyfriend Rúben and is so excited to get filming She can’t wait to do some fibbing and be as deceitful as possible to try to win it’.
‘It has worked out perfectly that she can go straight from the Scottish castle to the villa in Majorca to film the summer Love Island series in June’.
Maya Jama was reportedly the first star to be approached by Celebrity Traitors bosses in a bid to pull in a younger audience
The series two cast was officially announced on Saturday, with Jerry Hall, Richard E Grant and Romesh Ranganathan among the stars heading to the castle
The Celebrity Traitors series two cast was officially revealed on Saturday morning as the BBC dropped the first teaser trailer
They told The Sun: ‘She was obsessed with Celebrity Traitors last year and the money was secondary to the taking part.’
Just minutes after the line-up was announced, former supermodel Jerry, 69, was spotted arriving in Inverness as she prepared to head to the iconic Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
The production crew appeared to ramp up security for leggy blonde as she was flanked by bodyguards when getting out of a car before disappearing into a black tent.
Meanwhile The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey, 22, came prepared for the bracing weather in a warm black fleece and appeared in good spirits while chatting with a member of airport staff.
University Challenge host Amol Rajan, 42, was also dressed comfortably and shielded his eyes behind shades while carrying his luggage over his shoulder.
After months of speculation over who could be following in the iconic footsteps of last year’s winner Alan Carr, in a quirky new trailer the 19 names were finally revealed.
Also heading to Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands are Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Ross Kemp, Bella Ramsey and James Blunt.
Maya is said to have took the £40,000 rate after falling in love with the series while watching it with her boyfriend Rúben Dias
Just minutes after the line-up was annouced, supermodel Jerry Hall, 69, was spotted arriving in Inverness as she prepared to head to the iconic Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
Meanwhile The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey, 22, came prepared for the bracing weather in a warm black fleece and appeared in good spirits while chatting with a member of airport staff
University Challenge host Amol Rajan, 42, was also dressed comfortably and shielded his eyes behind shades while carrying his luggage over his shoulder
Set in airport arrivals, the trailer shows a line of actors standing with the iconic roundtable chalk boards revealing the names
Richard E. Grant was also spotted as he headed to the castle
And just minutes after the announcement, former supermodel Jerry, 69, was spotted arriving in Inverness as she prepared to head to the iconic Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands
The production crew appeared to ramp up security for Jerry’s arrival as she was flanked by bodyguards when getting out of a car before disappearing into a black tent
Bella looked to be deep in thought, possibly getting their game plan ready ahead of taking on their fellow celebs in the murder mystery game
Amol gave a peace sign before being bundled into the back of a waiting car
Actor Richard was guided across the tarmac by airport staff
Sebastian Croft arrived with a teddy bear in his bag
Comedians Rob Beckett, Joe Lycett, Joanna McNally and James Acaster will also be joined by Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
The line up will be completed by mathematician Hannah Fry, broadcaster Amol Rajan, Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, prankster King Kenny, Industry star Myha’la, Heartstopper’s Sebastian Croft and My Mad Fat Diary’s Sharon Rooney.
Set in airport arrivals, the trailer shows a line of actors standing with the iconic roundtable chalk boards revealing the names.
In the BBC’s announcement clip, people were seen holding signs at an airport with each of the celebrities names on them.
But in a hilarious nod to the show, many of the stars’ names were spelt wrong, such as ‘Rob Bucket’, ‘Miranda Heart’ and ‘Richardy Grant’.
Elsewhere one of the people holding a board had his the wrong way round – something the contestants often do during roundtables.
Sharing the clip on Instagram on Saturday, the BBC wrote: ‘Host Claudia Winkleman will welcome an eclectic mix of people and personalities ranging from BAFTA and BRIT award winners through to social media stars plus some of the UK’s most cherished actors, comedians, presenters and beyond as the celebrities question who they can and can’t really trust, figure out who deserves to be banished and try to discover which of them is plotting murder under the cover of darkness.’
Jerry Hall
Jerry Hall rose to fame in the 1970s and became one of the era’s most recognisable fashion icons (pictured in October)
The American model and actress, 69, rose to fame in the 1970s and became one of the era’s most recognisable fashion icons.
She’s also widely known for her high-profile relationship and marriage to Mick Jagger and later media mogul Rupert Murdoch, as well as her later stage and television work – appearing in 1989’s Batman.
Maya Jama
Celebrity Traitors cast revealed: Maya Jama and Jerry Hall lead the stars taking part in BBC series as they join legendary actor Richard Grant and comedian Romesh Ranganathan
The TV presenter, 31, is quickly becoming one of the UK’s most popular stars and famously fronts Love Island.
She is known for her impeccable sense of style and has carved out an impressive presenting career, working on everything from The Masked Singer to having her own eponymous BBC Radio 1 show Maya Jama.
Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant celebrated for his roles in everything from cult classic Withnail & I to modern flicks such as Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Pictured in November)
The beloved actor, 68, is a British national treasure, celebrated for his roles in everything from cult classic Withnail & I to modern flicks such as Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
He’s also known for his charismatic personality off-screen, earning a devoted following through his humour, memoirs, and social media presence.
Miranda Hart
Miranda Hart broke through with her hit sitcom Miranda which became a resounding success and cemented her as a comedy legend
She broke through with her hit sitcom Miranda which became a resounding success and cemented her as a comedy legend.
Miranda, 53, has since expanded into film, theatre, and presenting, earning acclaim for roles in projects like Call The Midwife.
James Blunt
James Blunt shot to global fame with his debut album and the hit single ‘You’re Beautiful’
The singer-songwriter, 52, shot to global fame with his debut album and the hit single ‘You’re Beautiful.’
He is known for his emotive ballads but has gained traction in recent years thanks to his dry, self-deprecating humour, becoming a popular social media presence.
Romesh Ranganathan
Romesh Ranganathan has been taking British TV by storm in recent years is known for his deadpan delivery
The comedian, 48, has been taking British TV by storm in recent years is known for his deadpan delivery.
He’s built a hugely successful career across stand-up, television, and radio, fronting hit shows like The Weakest Link, A League of Their Own, The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan and Rob and Romesh VS.
Ross Kemp
Ross Kemp who recently returned to EastEnders to reprise his role as hardman Grant Mitchell, is said to be wanting to ‘challenge himself’
The 61-year-old, who recently returned to EastEnders to reprise his role as hardman Grant Mitchell, is said to be wanting to ‘challenge himself’.
An insider said: ‘He loves Traitors and thinks it’s a programme on another level, which is why he really wanted to take part. Ross loved the mix of psychological intrigue paired with some of the very physical trials that the group have to complete – both suit him perfectly.’
James Acaster
James Acaster is good friends with Ed Gamble who hosts The Traitors: Uncloaked. The duo present the hit food podcast Off Menu with Ed Gamble
The comedian, 41, is good friends with Ed Gamble who hosts The Traitors: Uncloaked. The duo present the hit food podcast Off Menu with Ed Gamble.
James emerged early on as a standout contender as bosses were said to be eyeing a mix of big-name personalities for the star-studded spin-off.
Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen is celebrated for his incredible performances across stage and screen, particularly his work in Good Omens and The Queen
The Welsh actor, 57, is celebrated for his incredible performances across stage and screen, particularly his work in Good Omens and The Queen.
He is also known for his fascinating portrayals of real-life figures like Tony Blair, Andrew Windsor and Chris Tarrant.
Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey rose to fame as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and gained global acclaim for their leading role in The Last Of Us
The actor, 22, rose to fame as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and gained global acclaim for their leading role in The Last Of Us.
They’ve been praised for their emotionally demanding roles early in their career, often portraying characters with a mix of toughness and vulnerability.
Rob Beckett
Best friend of fellow Traitors star Romesh, Rob Beckett is known for his high-energy and booming laugh
Best friend of fellow Traitors star Romesh, the stand-up comedian, 40, is known for his high-energy and booming laugh.
He’s a familiar face on UK panel shows and podcasts, co-hosting Rob & Romesh Vs and appearing on 8 Out of 10 Cats and Taskmaster.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock
Leigh-Anne Pinnock is known as a member of the girl group Little Mix, who found fame on The X Factor back in 2011
The singer, 34, rose to fame as a member of the girl group Little Mix, who won The X Factor back in 2011.
Leigh-Anne has since launched a solo career and is often outspoken on representation within the music industry.
Sharon Rooney
Sharon Rooney is best known for her breakout role as Rae Earl in the acclaimed series My Mad Fat Diary
The Scottish actress is best known for her breakout role as Rae Earl in the acclaimed series My Mad Fat Diary.
She has since built a versatile screen career with roles in comedy and drama across TV and film, including Hollywood flick Barbie and Scottish comedy sitcom Two Doors Down.
Joe Lycett
From headline-grabbing TV stunts to cleverly staged public pranks, Joe Lycett has built a reputation as one of Britain’s most inventive and unpredictable comics
From headline-grabbing TV stunts to cleverly staged public pranks, Joe, 37, has built a reputation as one of Britain’s most inventive and unpredictable comics.
His dramatic stunts resulted in him gaining two of his own TV shows, Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back and Late Night Lycett.
Joanne McNally
Joanne McNally is known for her brutally honest humour and hilarious takes on dating, chaos, and modern life
The Irish comedian, 42, is known for her brutally honest humour and hilarious takes on dating, chaos, and modern life.
She’s become one of Ireland’s biggest comedy stars, with hit stand-up shows and the popular podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me which she hosts alongside Vogue Williams.
Hannah Fry
Mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry is known for turning complex data into content which is engaging and accessible to viewers
The mathematician and broadcaster, 42, is known for turning complex data into content which is engaging and accessible to viewers.
She presents popular science documentaries and writes books that explore how maths quietly shapes everyday life.
Amol Rajan
Journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan has carved out a successful career across major UK media, including radio and television
The journalist and broadcaster has carved out a successful career across major UK media, including radio and television.
Formerly the media editor of BBC News, Amol, 42, has been a presenter on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 since 2021 and University Challenge on BBC Two since 2023.
Julie Hesmondhalgh
Julie Hesmondhalgh is best known for her long-running role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, which made history as the first transgender character in a British soap opera
The soap star, 56, is best known for her long-running role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, which made history as the first transgender character in a British soap opera.
Julie, who herself is not trans, starred as Hayley from 1998 until 2014 – when the character took her own life in a right-to-die storyline as she battled pancreatic cancer.
King Kenny
King Kenny, whose real name is Kenny Ojuederie, is a content creator known for prank videos and street-style social experiments
King Kenny, whose real name is Kenny Ojuederie, is a content creator known for prank videos and street-style social experiments.
With over 2 million subscribers on YouTube, plus 788,000 fans on Instagram and 623,800 on TikTok, King Kenny has built a huge online fanbase.
Myha’la
Myha’la is known for her striking portrayal of brutal fintech expert Harper Stern in the HBO drama Industry
The American actress, 30, is known for her striking portrayal of brutal fintech expert Harper Stern in the HBO drama Industry.
Elsewhere Myha’la has also starred in an episode of Black Mirror called Loch Henry as well as having roles in films Bodies Bodies Bodies and Leave the World Behind.
Sebastian Croft
Sebastian Croft is best known for his breakout role as Ben Hope in the Netflix series Heartstopper
The British actor, 24, is best known for his breakout role as Ben Hope in the Netflix series Heartstopper.
He actually made his television debut as Young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones and earned a BAFTA Children’s Award nomination for his role in Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans.