Run Away star James Nesbitt reveals why he has turned down The Celebrity Traitors
James is currently starring in Harlan Coban's Netflix thrillerRun Away star James Nesbitt has revealed he was asked to do The Celebrity Traitors – but turned it down.
James, 60, has said the BBC approached him to appear in the second series of the Traitors.
His approach from show bosses comes following the mega success of the first series, which saw Alan Carr win.
At its peak, The Celebrity Traitors was pulling in 13 million viewers per episode.
But James has decided to give the next series, which will air later this year, a massive swerve.
Run Away’s James Nesbitt on Celebrity Traitors
James confessed to giving The Celebrity Traitors a wide berth during an appearance on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show.
The actor – who plays distraught dad James Greene in Netflix’s Run Away alongside Minnie Driver – admitted that the thought of being on the BBC show “scared him”.
James explained to radio listeners: “When I was asked, because I was in at the BBC, I went, ‘Oh, sounds amazing’. Then I spoke to my agent and he said no.”
The actor added: “I just thought, ‘How do I follow that?’ It was so brilliant.”
James went on to discuss with Chris how his career as an actor could be a “stumbling block” to his success on the show.
“Do you know what, that unquestionably crossed my mind,” James said. “That was the first thing that crossed my mind, ‘That could finish my career. He’s rubbish’.”
When is the next series of The Celebrity Traitors?
The BBC confirmed in November 2025 that The Celebrity Traitors will be returning for a second series. The announcement came following the huge success of series 1.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, said at the time that the show had “truly captivated the nation, becoming a bona fide highlight of the year”.
She added: “In 2026 the doors of the castle will be opened again to welcome celebrity players to the game to see who can charm, who can scheme and ultimately who can survive in series two which promises to be just as unmissable as the first.”
The BBC is yet to confirm a start date for the new series. However, it is expected to hit screens in the autumn.
Series 1 ran from October 8, 2025, until November 6, 2025, so expect something similar.
Celebrity Traitors 2026 line-up
Odds are on as to who will be appearing in series two of The Celebrity Traitors.
According to entertainment betting experts OLBG, comedian Bob Mortimer is the red hot favourite to sign up. His odds are at 2/1.
Other names that have been thrown into the mix include The Masked Singer’s Davina McCall, documentary maker Louis Theroux and actress Daisy May Cooper.
Unfortunately, plans for the next batch of Traitors and Faithfuls is being kept very tight-lipped. Only time will tell who will be entering Ardross Castle later this year…but we can’t wait to find out!
Read more: When is The Traitors on TV next, what time does it start and who has been murdered and banished?
