Much-loved BBC presenter 'first to sign up' for Celebrity Traitors

BBC bosses are reportedly "desperate" to sign Pointless and House of Games star Richard Osman up to star in their new celebrity version of The Traitors

A much-loved BBC presenter is set to be the first signed up for a new celebrity game on the Beeb. BBC bosses are reportedly "desperate" to sign Pointless and House of Games star Richard Osman up to star in their new celebrity version of The Traitors

Claudia Winkleman is set to return to Ardross Castle for the BBC's inaugural Celebrity Traitors, and it appears she'll be joined by some familiar faces in the new series.

Osman, the host of a BBC game show, has emerged as an unexpected favourite, with insiders hinting that he is "set to sign up" for the landmark celebrity series.

A celebrity version of The Traitors was being developed, with filming anticipated to commence in early 2025.

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The programme was officially announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival last week, and since then, there has been rampant speculation about the celebrity cast.

Richard, aged 53, is reportedly the top choice for Celebrity Traitors, with an insider confirming he possesses the skills sought by BBC executives.

They informed The Mirror: "Richard would be a terrific signing. He reckons he knows how to commit the perfect murder, so could surely spot a Traitor from 100 paces or outsmart the others if he needs to? ".

"He also knows exactly how TV works. Anyone who's seen him on Pointless or House of Games will know how clever he is. And his claim that he's no good at lying seems unlikely."

The former Pointless host previously admitted that he can't keep a secret, revealing that he'd been rejected by MI6 in his younger years.

"You could not find a worse spy. I would have been terrible. I'm too tall, not bright enough, and if I have a secret, I tell everybody," he confessed.

But despite concerns over his ability to keep secrets, the Cambridge-educated star has a few tricks up his sleeve that could make him a fan favourite on Celebrity Traitors, with his keen listening and observational skills.

Commenting on his abilities, he remarked: "I'm good with words and at doing quizzes and I have a good memory, but that's not intelligence. I'm visually impaired so I see very badly. But it's meant I've had to listen a lot and take in information really well."

Richard, familiar to viewers as host of House of Games and Pointless Celebrities on the BBC, has cleverly channelled his intelligence into a successful career.

With a string of best-selling murder mystery books to his name, Richard has also landed a lucrative deal from Penguin believed to be around £10 million, and his acclaimed Thursday Murder Club series is now slated for a Hollywood adaptation spearheaded by none other than Steven Spielberg, featuring Dame Helen Mirren among other A-listers.

In addition to being an author, Richard's resume includes creating hit shows such as Deal or No Deal, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Should Richard agree to appear on Celebrity Traitors, he would join an illustrious roster with rumours suggesting Ricky Gervais might return to the BBC for this high-profile project.