The BBC 'hopes to bag The Traitors US' after UK version is a smash hit
The BBC reportedly has its eye on the US version of The Traitors after the UK series became a huge hit.
The broadcaster is said to be in discussions about acquiring the reality show, hosted by actor Alan Cumming, which launches on Thursday, but a deal has not been struck yet.
The US version will air on streaming site Peacock, owned by NBC, and unlike the British version, will see celebrities and members of the public take part.
In the BBC1 show, which is set in a Scottish castle, people are split into two groups and faithfuls have to try and work out who are traitors. Players work together to build up a prize pot by completing challenges.
The Traitors was a smash for the BBC (BBC/Studio Lambert Associates/Mark Mainz)Contenders leave by being banished during a group vote or being 'murdered' by traitors.
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The cash is split among remaining faithfuls unless they fail to spot the last traitors who then win.
The first series was won by faithfuls Aaron Evans, Hannah Byczkowski and Meryl Williams who shared £100,000.
The show, hosted by Claudia Winkelman, had a high of 3.7 million viewers and 17 million views on iPlayer, so it's no surprise the BBC reportedly want to feed fans' appetite.
Host Alan Cummings with the cast of the US version of The Traitors (Virginia Sherwood/Peacock via Getty Images)Sources indicated to Variety that the US version will either plays on BBC3, or on Iplayer. Fans will certainly feel the loss of Claudia, with the Strictly star receiving praise for her role, on social media.
Following the final episode, fans took to Twitter to share their adoration for Claudia. Some even proposed that she should receive a damehood in response to the series.
One wrote: "You just KNOW [she] had so much fun making #TheTraitors and it showed! I literally can't even imagine it with anybody else. She needs to be made a dame NOW!"
Olympian Ryan Lochte, Below Deck's Kate Chastain and Real Housewives of Beverley Hills star Brandi Glanville are set to work with members of the public in US edition.
Last month, the Mirror exclusively revealed that the BBC is planning their own celebrity version of the show, with famous fans lining up to take part in a start-studded edition of the murder mystery show.
An insider said: “Everyone’s been thrilled with how much love there’s been for The Traitors and a celebrity version is a natural next step.
Claudia Winkleman with The Traitors finalists“Viewers will get to see different sides of some big names as they try to manipulate others or uncover the truth about fellow players.”
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Show host Claudia Winkleman has already picked a panel for the all-star show, which is likely to be a fundraiser for Children in Need or Comic Relief.
She said: “Victoria Coren, Kirsty Young, Adam Woodyatt, Stephen Fry, Alison Hammond… let’s do that.”
Hopefuls include presenter Rylan Clark, Loose Women’s Judi Love, DJ Greg James and Corrie’s Sally Ann Matthews.
Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson is another fan, while actress Kathy Burke recently backed Wilf Webster after his betrayal of fellow traitor Amanda Lovett.
The BBC has been approached for comment.
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