Ricky Gervais is said to be wanted for celebrity The Traitors spin-off

by · Mail Online

Ricky Gervais is believed to be the next star the BBC wish to star in their new celebrity The Traitors spin-off. 

The comedian, 63, is said to be up high among the collection of A-listers being targeted for the show, which is hosted by Claudia Winkleman, according to the Sun.

Whether he agrees to the BBC's request is unknown as he has been incredibly busy in recent weeks with his popular stand up series for Netflix. 

Despite his jam-packed schedule, the beep hope to convince the actor and return to the channel where he initially shot to global fame for his role in The Office.

A TV insider told the publication: 'The Beeb want the crème de la crème of stars for the celeb spin-off, and they ideally have to be incredibly smart, funny, and mischievous — and that's Ricky in three words.

Ricky Gervais is believed to be the next star the BBC wish to star in their new celebrity The Traitors spin-off
The comedian, 63, is said to be up high among the collection of A-listers being targeted for the show, which is hosted by Claudia Winkleman (pictured), according to the Sun

'Behind the scenes, big names have already expressed their interest in taking part from the moment it was revealed the new version of The Traitors was being made.

'So Ricky will be in good company around the Traitors table, but whether he takes part will probably depend on his hugely busy diary.'  

The second series of hit BBC series The Traitors reached huge success at the start of the year, with the final making history as the most watched episode ever, with 6.9million people tuning in. 

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Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the gripping reality show has also earned a raft of awards including at last year's British Academy Television Awards and National Television Awards.

It is already set to return for a third season, which has already been filming in the Scottish Highlands, after almost 300,000 people applied.

The series will be filmed in 2025 and casting for the celebrity contestants is underway.

Head of Entertainment at the BBC, Kalpna Patel-Knight, said: 'The Traitors has well and truly established itself as an unmissable highlight of the year and the news of a fourth outing, alongside a brand new celebrity version coming to the BBC, will take the series to a whole new level.

'It will once again be fascinating for our audiences to see who'll outwit, outplay, and outlast. Let the mind games begin!'

Whether he agrees to the BBC's request is unknown as he has been incredibly busy in recent weeks with his popular stand up series for Netflix
Despite his jam-packed schedule, the beep hope to convince the actor and return to the channel where he initially shot to global fame for his role in The Office (pictured)

While Creative Director Unscripted at Studio Lambert and Executive Producer for The Traitors, Mike Cotton, said: 'We are thrilled to be inviting some celebrities into our castle to come and play the game.

'Seeing famous faces navigate the round table or don the infamous green cloaks will be unmissable TV, and what a double treat for the fans with Series 4 also confirmed too.

'There's a whole lot of exciting treachery and deception yet to come from the Highlands… Claudia's going to have to pack some extra knitwear.'

Earlier this year, it was reported producers were likely to be eyeing up stars such as Wagatha Christie rivals Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy for a celebrity version.

Others on the potential roster are said to be former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who finished third in 2022's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, and Match of the Day host and former footballer Gary Lineker.

While presenter Claudia previously voiced the big names she'd like to see appear on a celebrity version of the show.

She listed: 'Victoria Coren, Kirsty Young, Adam Woodyatt, Stephen Fry, Alison Hammond… let's do that.'