The new line-up for the highly anticipated Celebrity Traitors has finally been announced, but fans have been left ‘devastated’ by one star’s absence.
Since the first Traitors series aired in 2022, viewers have been hooked by the show’s devilish premise as contestants aim to figure out who is a traitor and who is a faithful inside a luxurious Scottish castle.
The BBC One reality show has continued to smash viewing records, with its season 3 finale drawing in an incredible 7.4million viewers in January.
Now, after months of speculation, 19 famous faces – including household names like Alan Carr and Stephen Fry – will take to the round table to try and win £100,000 for their chosen charity.
However, fans have shared their fury on social media after it was confirmed that Would I Lie To You star Bob Mortimer will not be taking part.
Writing on X, @JamesandMikeyx said he was ‘gutted’ that Bob would not be featuring.
@ShereenBenahmed also wrote: ‘Devastated that Bob Mortimer isn’t doing #TheTraitors. I didn’t need another reminder not to get my hopes up but yet here I am.’
Join Metro’s The Traitors community on WhatsApp
Want to get all the latest news and predictions for the best and most dramatic show this new year? Join our The Traitors WhatsApp channel for live episode coverage, behind-the-scenes gossip and a place to recover from all the cliffhangers.
Simply click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don’t forget to turn on notifications!
@SuzeHopper1 added: ‘Not really keen on the #CelebrityTraitors lineup. It’s probably because I’m still annoyed that Bob Mortimer isn’t involved and also that I would have liked to have seen other celebs involved, not an online content creator I haven’t heard of before.’
A golden opportunity wasted…
Metro’s TV reporter, Milo Pope, shares his thoughts on Bob’s omission …
Who do we need to blame? The BBC? Bob’s agent? Bob himself?
We need answers… now!
How on earth was Bob -a man who represents everything a Celebrity Traitor should be, the ultimate liar – not signed up to the show months ago?
When ideas were being thrown around by producers for this series, surely, surely, Bob Mortimer’s name had to be the first they had in mind?
So what’s happened? Is it a budget issue? Did Bob not feel up for it? Whatever happened, the comedian’s absence in this series has left a gaping hole.
There’s no doubt that Traitors is the best game show on television, but to have Mortimer dangled in front of us by rumours only then to be snatched away is deflating.
Other contestants, such as Stephen Fry and Joe Wilkinson, will surely bring some laughs, but there seems to be no replacement for the funnyman.
It almost seemed like the show was too perfect for him, too tailored to his wits and comedic timing. Perhaps that’s why he may have passed?
Whatever happened, I want the BBC to know that I’m hurt, as are thousands of other Traitors fans.
Will I still watch the Celebrity Traitors? Absolutely.
@benmurray95 also said: ‘Good lineup but fuming as I thought Bob Mortimer was meant to be in it!’
@JadeSChadwick echoed this sentiment, writing: ‘Dreams of celeb traitors x Bob Mortimer DASHED.’
@Prncss_Marigold added: ‘A public outcry as Bob Mortimer’s name is not on the list!’
In the weeks leading up to the BBC’s official announcement, Mortimer seemed to be a perfect fit given his skillfulness in deceiving David Mitchell on Would I Lie To You.
He has also been a major hit on another reality game show: Amazon Prime Video’s Last One Laughing.
Despite his omission, fans of the series can still look forward to seeing the likes of Jonathan Ross, Joe Marler, Clare Balding, and Tom Daley take part.
In a statement, host Claudia Winkleman told viewers: ‘We’re incredibly lucky these brilliant people have said yes.
‘I’d love to say we’ll take it easy on them and they’ll just wander round the castle and eat toast for a couple of weeks, but that would be a lie.’
The nine-part Celebrity Traitors is coming to BBC One and iPlayer this Autumn.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.