Comedian Joe Lycett has revealed he is getting fitter to be a better father ahead of joining BBC reality series Celebrity Traitors in Scotland.
The 38-year-old TV host said he is excited to show a different side of himself after being typecast as the "gay comedian off the telly". He expects his calm personality away from performance mode may surprise fellow contestants and trigger suspicion during the competition.
Lycett welcomed a baby boy with his mystery girlfriend in 2024. The comedian previously had to insist that the arrival of his son was genuine after fans suspected the announcement was one of his elaborate pranks. Speaking to the BBC ahead of filming, Lycett explained how his on-stage and off-stage personas evolved over time.
"When I started doing stand-up, my on and off-stage persona were quite similar," Lycett said. "I showed off at parties because I wanted attention and then, gradually, as I got that attention through doing stand-up, I could calm down in real life. When I'm not out on stage, I'm very calm, thoughtful and peaceful."
He added that while other comedians know his true personality, non-comics in the castle might view his quiet nature with doubt. "I think the comics know what I'm like on and off stage, but I think the others who, for the first time, will spend time with me not in 'show mode' might see that as suspicious," he said.
Lycett has previously described himself as pansexual, meaning he is attracted to a person regardless of their gender. He admitted he regularly encounters assumptions about his sexuality due to his public profile. "I definitely come across assumptions of 'oh, he's the gay comedian off the telly' and I explain I've got a female partner and a son with said female partner," he said. "I'm really quite a tranquil individual when not in performance mode, which may surprise some."
Outfits, Fitness and Traitors Superfan
Known for his brightly coloured and flamboyant outfits, Lycett was asked whether he has packed standout wardrobe options for the Scottish castle. "I think so," he responded. "There's a lot of variety and silly stuff that I might not get to wear at all if I end up doing a Paloma. I'll just wear them for the supermarket shop if that happens." Paloma was the first contestant murdered in the previous series of the show.
Lycett has also been preparing physically for the show's gruelling missions, describing them as the element he is most excited about. "That's the bit I'm most excited about. I've been trying to get fitter and stronger over the last few months, just for my own well-being and to be a better father and all of that," he said. "I'm incredibly strong now. As strong as an ox. Fierce as well. As fierce as a tiger."
Lycett revealed he has been a passionate fan of the format since its debut, even messaging production company Studio Lambert on Twitter to ask for raw footage. "That first year I sent a DM on Twitter, which was not responded to, to Studio Lambert to ask if they could send me all the rushes," he said. "I just was so hit by it and wanted more. I am just thrilled to be part of the universe of The Traitors and to have been asked."
Comedian Suspicion and Mathematical Probabilities
Fellow contestant and comedian James Acaster, 41, admitted that the unusually high number of stand-up performers in this year's lineup could immediately put them under scrutiny. "There will be suspicions that it's going to be at least one of these guys, that we might form an alliance if we're not broken apart," Acaster said. "I think we're going to be the first ones under the magnifying glass being looked at. Particularly at the beginning when you have absolutely nothing to go on."
Acaster noted that comedian Alan Carr won the previous series by disarming fellow players with humour. "And then you consider that a comedian won last year with Alan Carr disarming everyone with jokes the whole time. He has tainted us all!" Acaster joked. He added that contestant and mathematician Hannah Fry could spell further trouble for the comics. "Hannah Fry will probably tell you that probability-wise, there's most likely to be at least one comic chosen as a Traitor because there's enough of us," he said. "Even though it could obviously easily be three people who aren't comedians... I don't know how it works out, but if maths turns against us we're in big trouble."
Celebrity Traitors Lineup and Broadcast Details
The new series of Celebrity Traitors begins on Thursday, October 1 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer with an extra-long opening episode. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman at a castle in the Scottish Highlands, the 21 famous contestants will play a game of detection, trust and betrayal to win up to £100,000 for their chosen charities.
The star-studded lineup features fashion icon Jerry Hall, 70, who rose to fame in the 1970s. Actor Richard E Grant, 69, known for roles in Withnail & I and Everybody's Talking About Jamie, also joins the cast alongside musician James Blunt, 52, who achieved global success with his hit single You're Beautiful and debut album.
Former EastEnders actor Ross Kemp, 62, who recently returned to the soap as Grant Mitchell, entered the show seeking to challenge himself. Actor Michael Sheen, 57, celebrated for his work in Good Omens and The Queen, is taking part alongside comedian Rob Beckett, 40, known for his high-energy stand-up and booming laugh.
The cast includes actress Sharon Rooney, 37, best known for her breakout role as Rae Earl in My Mad Fat Diary, and comedian Joanne McNally, 43, known for her humour on dating, chaos and modern life. Journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan, 43, who works across UK radio and television, and content creator King Kenny, 29, known for prank videos and social experiments, are also competing.
Actor Sebastian Croft, 24, known for his breakout role as Ben Hope in Netflix drama Heartstopper, joins television presenter Maya Jama, 32, who fronts Love Island. Comedian Miranda Hart, 53, who broke through with her hit sitcom Miranda, and deadpan comedian Romesh Ranganathan, 48, who is best friends with fellow contestant Rob Beckett, complete part of the roster.
Acaster, who co-hosts the hit food podcast Off Menu with Ed Gamble (host of spin-off show The Traitors: Uncloaked), is joined by actor Bella Ramsey, 22, who rose to fame as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and gained global acclaim in The Last Of Us. Singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 34, known as a member of Little Mix after finding fame on The X Factor in 2011, also competes.
Lycett, 38, who has built a reputation for clever public pranks and TV stunts, will play alongside mathematician and broadcaster Professor Hannah Fry, 42, who turns complex data into engaging viewer content. Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, 56, famous for playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street (the first transgender character in a British soap opera), and actress Myha'la, 30, known for her portrayal of fintech expert Harper Stern in HBO drama Industry, round out the full 2026 cast.
