Is Celebrity Traitors finally happening? Everything you need to know

Courteney Cox is in demand by The Traitor bosses for a celebrity spin-off series, according to reports, but how likely is a Celebrity Traitors in the UK?

The game would work the same - the group of faithfuls must try to work out who the traitors are while being "murdered" in a bid to win a cash prize. The traitors would try to keep their identity a secret to avoid being banished at the roundtable and steal the money at the end of the game.

Getting celebrities involved isn't a totally new idea though as, already across the pond, the US version of The Traitors features celebrities as contestants on the show. The Traitors executive producer Stephen Lambert previously told Global’s The News Agents podcasts: "I think it would be pretty entertaining. We talk to the BBC about the future of all our shows and that’s obviously a possibility."

So what are the chances of there being a celebrity spin off of The Traitors in the UK? And if so, who are we likely to see sign up to the BBC show?

Will there be a Celebrity Traitors?

In the same interview, Lambert said that it was a conscious choice not to choose celebrities to star on the show in the first place. He said: "So, it was really a decision that we made with the BBC to make the first British version without celebrities."

He further explained: "In Britain, the decision was, maybe we’ll think about celebrities at some stage.But the best shows, like The Apprentice, don’t have celebrities in them. If you don’t have celebrities, if you have real people, civilians, the prize pot matters.

"You know, if you’re a celebrity – £100,000 yes, obviously, it’s lovely – but it’s not as significant, as if you’re an ordinary person. They take the game more seriously and that we think is very important."

It is entirely possible that a celebrity spin off could be in the works. When approached by Yahoo News, BBC said they wouldn't be commenting on the possibility of a star-studded version of The Traitors.

Would Courtney Cox star on Celebrity Traitors?

Friends star Cox remains a close friend of The Traitors' UK host Claudia Winkleman and now it's thought she could be the first major signing for a celebrity version of the show. A source told The Sun: "The fact the producers have a star from Friends in their sights shows the kind of calibre of famous faces Celebrity Traitors is aiming for."

The mole added: "After the show was announced, producers were swamped with calls from big names and their agents wanting to throw their hat in the ring — many of them a big surprise. Courteney has always been a fan of the show, particularly as the British version has her mate Claudia fronting it."

Who else would appear on Celebrity Traitors?

A whole galaxy of stars have made no secret of their love for Traitors - including Zoe Ball, Andrew Scott and Claire Foy. They joined in with the British public in the feverish excitement of the second series earlier this year. It seems stars are queueing up to be lined-up for the show and we don't blame them!

Among the stars, Rylan Clark said he had a bone to pick with Winkleman if he wasn't signed up for the show. He told Radio Times Magazine: "I would hate nothing more than to be a contestant again. Unless it was on Celebrity Traitors. I’d go to town on that. Literally every time I see Claudia, I’m like, 'Why has this not been done? Sort it out or I’ll cut your fringe off, babe.'"

Host Winkleman already has a few people in mind for the show too. She said: "Victoria Coren Mitchell, so I can cuddle her. I know her, that sounds weird. Adam Woodyatt, always. Andrew Garfield and I’ll have Stephen Fry as well."

Plus, betting sites had predictions on who would be fabulous to star on Celebrity Traitors. Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: "The BBC are continuing to pull strings behind the scenes with regards to a celebrity spin-off version of The Traitors, with Friends actor Courtney Cox the current favourite at 2/1 to appear alongside other well-known faces to try her hand at treachery!

"Hot on Cox’s tail is TV presenter and professional poker star Victoria Coren Mitchell at 3/1, with Zoe Ball, Stephen Fry and Adam Woodyatt all 4/1. Former health secretary Matt Hancock has made no secret of his desire to pursue a TV career and is also in the running at 5/1."

Full odds

Courtney Cox 2/1, Victoria Coren Mitchell 3/1, Zoe Ball 4/1

Stephen Fry 4/1, Adam Woodyatt 4/1, Matt Hancock 5/1

Gary Lineker 6/1, Claire Foy 6/1, Andrew Garfield 6/1

BAR 8/1

Read more

• 'The Traitors should win every award going, but please don't make a celebrity version'