BBC Strictly pair tease joint Celebrity Traitors plans as they pay tribute to Claudia Winkleman: 'We would love to!'

Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 06/02/2026

- 09:34

The first series saw comedian Alan Carr win as a villainous Traitor

The Celebrity Traitors made its debut on screens last year, following on from the success of the main series - and it proved to be just as popular as the original edition.

Claudia Winkleman's series has garnered plenty of famous fans, and many are eyeing up a spot in the next celebrity edition - including two Strictly Come Dancing stars.


Speaking to GB News at the TV Choice Awards this week, dancers Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu issued a plea to Ms Winkleman to be considered for the next series - but with one condition.

They went on to share their admiration for the presenter who, along with Tess Daly, stunned Strictly fans last year by announcing they'd be leaving the show after the 2025 series.

Celebrity Traitors

Alan Carr won the last series of BBC Celebrity Traitors

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BBC

They have both featured on the show and its sister programme, It Takes Two, since its 2004 debut, and the iconic pair have been hosting the flagship show together since 2014.

While many can't imagine the series without them, Ms Winkleman is highly likely to remain a BBC fixture thanks to The Traitors.

Reflecting on this, Welsh dancer Ms Dowden told GB News: "I love The Traitors, we both do."

She continued: "We would love to be on the celebrity version, but I think we'd need to go on it together."

Carlos Gu and Amy Dowden

Carlos Gu and Amy Dowden chatted to GB News at the TV Choice Awards

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GETTY

Reigning Strictly champion Mr Gu added: "The whole point for me going on The Traitors is actually for showing my outfits."

Sporting a stylish ensemble of jeans, a denim jacket, and a white shirt complete with a patterned black and grey tie, he quipped: "I'll bring my whole suitcase and show my outfits!

"But it's just an amazing show, and I love everything Claudia does."

The latest civilian series wrapped up a couple of weeks ago, with Traitor team Stephen Libby and Rachel Duffy crowned winners.

Amy Dowden

BBC Strictly's Amy Dowden is a big fan of The Traitors

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GETTY

My Libby became recognisable for his signature unique outfits on the show, with the former cyber security consultant's fashion becoming a talking point of the series.

It seems as though Mr Gu is willing to take on that role in the next celebrity show, but the two dancers aren't the only famous faces to have expressed interest in taking part.

Also speaking to GB News on Monday night's awards, The Chase star Anne Hegerty commented: "I would absolutely love to be a Celebrity Traitor, I'd definitely say yes!"

Last year's celeb edition saw comedian-turned-villainous Traitor Alan Carr being crowned winner after he managed to deceive his co-stars into thinking he was a Faithful.

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced last year they have quit their BBC Strictly presenting roles

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BBC

Meanwhile, Mr Gu also told GB News who he would like to see replacing hosts Ms Winkleman and Ms Daly on the dance show.

"I actually had this pair in my dream last night..." he began on Monday.

"I was like... I woke up, and I thought it just could have been a really, really good pair for the show.

"So I dreamed Angela Scanlon and Ashley Banjo did it. It's a very fashion-forward, very vibrant, very electric pair."