Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly shared why she wouldn’t be a good traitor on the popular show presented by her good friend and co-host Claudia Winkleman
Samantha Masters Content Editor
10:21, 22 Oct 2025
Tess Daly with her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Claudia Winkleman (Image: BBC)
Tess Daly has finally addressed the rumours about her and her husband Vernon Kay being offered a place on BBC’s Celebrity Traitors. Speculation began last year when reports claimed the couple had been in talks with Tess’ Strictly Come Dancing co-star and close friend, Claudia Winkleman, who fronts the show.
Previously fuelling curiosity during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Vernon, 51, said with a playful tone: “It keeps cropping up, this. We haven’t been approached – or have we? We’re not doing it – or are we? So, we’ll see.”
When asked who would make the better traitor, he joked that Tess, 56, wouldn’t be able to lie without laughing.
“Tess always laughs when she tells a fib, whereas I’m terrible. It’s not convincing. I think it would be an interesting psychological experience, The Traitors,” he shared.
Now, Tess has finally addressed the speculation. Speaking to The Metro, she confirmed that Claudia never tried to recruit them for the show as reported.
The Celebrity Traitors cast 2025(Image: PA)
“She knows I’d be able to read her mind at this point,” the mother-of-two said, adding that she wouldn’t make a good traitor anyway. “I’d be terrible at doing a poker face and being a traitor.”
Tess also took the opportunity to gush about her long-standing friendship with Claudia. The pair have worked together for over a decade on Strictly Come Dancing, which is currently on its 23rd series.
Giving an insight into their close bond, she added: “Claudia makes me belly laugh. Sometimes she makes me laugh until my mascara is running down my face. It’s good for the soul. I think it adds at least a year to your life.”
Although Tess and Vernon are not currently appearing in the debut celebrity series, there could be a future opportunity.
Tess Daly and Vernon Kay were rumoured to be joining this year’s Celebrity Traitors (Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)
According to reports, a second series is already being planned despite the first one not being over yet.
A source told The Sun: “The Celebrity Traitors is landing at the very peak of the format’s popularity. It’s the biggest show on the box, globally, and the cast is exceptional.
“The official message is that a formal recommission depends on how well series one does, but in reality it’s all but a done deal. Celebrities have already been sounded out on appetite to join.”
In this star-studded version of the game of deception, trust, and betrayal, the winner will take home up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. Celebrities still battling it out for the top prize include Jonathan Ross, Kate Garraway, Celia Imrie, Alan Carr, David Olusoga and Cat Burns.
Tonight, another celebrity will be banished —but will it finally be a traitor?
The Celebrity Traitors airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
