Television presenter Richard Osman revealed an entire series of reality competition show The Traitors was scrapped during production following an unbroadcastable conversation between contestants.
Speaking on a podcast with host Jack Dean, the 55-year-old author and broadcaster admitted he was probably not allowed to share that producers had to pull the plug on filming entirely.
Osman explained that contestants on an international edition of the hit franchise engaged in a discussion inside the castle that made continuing the shoot impossible.
"There is one series in one territory where something was discussed at length in the castle," Osman said during the podcast appearance. "It led to the show not being able to continue."
When host Dean asked whether production had lost the whole thing, Osman nodded and replied, "Yeah!"
Australian Series Praised
The Traitors is a popular reality game show format where contestants reside in a castle and are divided into Faithfuls and secret Traitors. The Traitors attempt to eliminate Faithfuls without getting caught, while Faithfuls vote to banish suspects.
While discussing international versions, Osman praised the inaugural Australian run, which remains available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, calling it both the best and most frustrating series of the show.
"The best ever series of The Traitors, I think, is the first ever Australian one, which I think is still on iPlayer," Osman said. "It's the single most frustrating series of Traitors because there's a Traitor in there who's so obviously a Traitor and a gang of Faithfuls who are so easily led."
He added that the few bright contestants disappeared quickly, leaving a single player manipulating the remaining group at will.
Osman also addressed whether he would ever participate in a celebrity spin-off of the program, explaining he would only consider taking part if producers assigned him the role of a Traitor.
"I would only want to do it as a Traitor and you can't insist," Osman said, noting that he would dislike not knowing who the secret villains were or having suspicions that fellow contestants ignored.
He noted that playing as a Traitor provides control from the first minute of the game and guarantees staying for all of filming, joking that he liked the idea of filming in the castle turret with a nice cup of tea between takes.
Celebrity Series Broadcast Date
The revelation about the scrapped series follows Osman claiming knowledge of the broadcast schedule for the upcoming series of Celebrity Traitors UK.
During a live edition of The Rest Is Entertainment podcast recorded at Southbank Centre in London on Saturday, former rugby star Joe Marler joined co-hosts Richard Osman and journalist Marina Hyde on stage.
Marler, who competed in the first series of Celebrity Traitors, was offering advice for the incoming cast when he accidentally disclosed the premiere date on air.
"What is it, September 23, the next series?" Marler asked the panel.
Osman immediately confirmed the date while noting it was supposed to be secret, replying, "By the way, to point out it's absolutely embargoed that it starts on September 23... the cat's out of the bag isn't it?"
Highland Castle Celebrity Cast
The BBC released the trailer for the upcoming celebrity edition last month, featuring host Claudia Winkleman presenting the game to a fresh lineup of famous faces.
The new series follows comedian Alan Carr winning as a Traitor in the previous celebrity series. Comparing the two casts, Marler noted a significant shift in atmosphere and competition level.
Osman mentioned having spoken with several stars in the upcoming run, remarking that it sounded quite intense. Marler agreed, explaining that his own series was very laugh-led, with contestants enjoying catching up and messing around until producers reminded them to focus on the game.
Marler added that his cast was not just playing for laughs or asking about parties, whereas the new cast really wants to win from the start after seeing how well the first series performed.
The cast heading to Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands features television host Maya Jama, former supermodel Jerry Hall, actor Richard E Grant, and comedian Romesh Ranganathan.
They are joined by stage and screen actors Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Ross Kemp, and Bella Ramsey, alongside singer-songwriter James Blunt and comedians Rob Beckett, Joe Lycett, Joanne McNally, and James Acaster.
Rounding out the line-up are Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry, news presenter Amol Rajan, Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh, online personality King Kenny, Industry actress Myha'la, Heartstopper actor Sebastian Croft, and My Mad Fat Diary star Sharon Rooney.
The Daily Mail has contacted the BBC for official comment regarding the scrapped series and the start date.
