An entire series of The Traitors was abandoned after a conversation held at a castle made it impossible for filming to continue, Richard Osman has claimed.
The author and television star said the incident occurred in one international version of the reality programme. Speaking on a podcast with Jack Dean, Osman acknowledged he was “probably not allowed” to reveal the decision before doing so.
“There is one series in one territory where something was discussed at length in the castle. It led to the show not being able to continue,” he said.
When Dean asked whether the production had “just lost the whole thing”, Osman replied: “Yeah!”
Osman also described the first Australian series as “the best ever series of The Traitors”, although he said it was also among the most frustrating to watch because a seemingly obvious Traitor was able to manipulate the other contestants.
He said he would not take part in the planned celebrity spin-off unless he was guaranteed the role of a Traitor.
“I would only want to do it as a Traitor and you can’t insist,” Osman said, explaining that he would find it difficult to spend the series unaware of the Traitors or holding a suspicion that nobody else shared.
“If you’re a Traitor, from minute one of the game at least you have some control. It’s still hard to win. But more importantly, you get to be there for all of the filming,” he added.
Celebrity Traitors release date discussed
Osman’s comments came as he also appeared to confirm the release date for the next series of Celebrity Traitors.
Former rugby player Joe Marler, who appeared in the first series, joined Osman and Marina Hyde for a live edition of their The Rest Is Entertainment podcast at London’s Southbank Centre.
While offering advice to the incoming contestants, Marler asked: “What is it, September 23, the next series?” Osman replied that the date was “absolutely embargoed” before adding: “The cat’s out of the bag isn’t it?”
The BBC released a trailer for the new series last month, with Claudia Winkleman presenting a line-up including Maya Jama, James Blunt and Richard E Grant.
Jerry Hall, Romesh Ranganathan, Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Ross Kemp, Bella Ramsey and Leigh-Anne Pinnock are also among those heading to Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
The cast also includes comedians Rob Beckett, Joe Lycett, Joanne McNally and James Acaster, as well as Hannah Fry, Amol Rajan, Julie Hesmondhalgh, King Kenny, Myha’la, Sebastian Croft and Sharon Rooney.
Marler said the new contestants appeared to be approaching the game more seriously than those in his series, which he described as more focused on laughter and catching up.
