Claudia Winkleman reveals exactly how The Traitors are chosen before the first round table - as she teases banishment twist ahead of the finale

Claudia Winkleman has revealed how The Traitors are chosen on the very first show.

In the first episode of the BBC programme, the host, 52, anonymously picks a number of contestants be the Traitors, who will secretly fake-murder the rest of the Faithfuls throughout the game in a bid to get their hands on the prize money. 

This year's series saw Minah, Linda and recently-departed Armani picked to be the murderers, however while it may appeared to have been a random selection, there is in fact a careful selection process made ahead of the show. 

Speaking to The Radio Times ahead of the grand finale later this month, Claudia told how there's a team of people who make the decision, while players' wishes are also taken into consideration.

She explained: 'It’s not down to me. There’s a group of us, including the brilliant producers and casting team. We go into a room and don’t leave until they’re chosen. If someone asks not to be a Traitor, they wouldn’t be picked.'

Meanwhile, Claudia opened up about the epic banishment twist that is set to rock the final players.

In a change from the norm, any players who are banished in the last episode will no longer reveal whether they are a Traitor or a Faithful. 

And when pressed on how that will change the game and tactics, Claudia stayed tight-lipped, though she told how 'instincts' and 'trust' will be at the heart of it all.

She said: 'I’d so love to answer this fully. I realise I’m the most annoying person on the planet, but I’m too scared to give anything away! All I can say is it means people must rely on their instinct even more. The gameplay is different.'

The star went on to add that 'trust' is at 'the very heart of the game', and is more 'vital than ever' during this series.

However, Claudia refused to give anything more away as she fears she'd 'lose her job'.  

Meanwhile, while it's already reported that Claudia is left in tears during a particularly difficult banishing during the show, she also hinted at a very emotional final that left her with tears in her eyes once again.

She teased: 'I always cry at the end. If I didn’t, something would be off. That’s all I can say.'

The finale's air date has recently been confirmed by the BBC, with it scheduled to be broadcast on January 24. 

The episode will run for 70 minutes, which is typically longer than weekly episodes of the show. 

The latest final will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 8:30pm to 9:40pm. 

It was announced earlier in the new series that the upcoming final will be different than in previous years. 

Claudia revealed during the launch that any players who are banished in the last episode will no longer reveal whether they are a Traitor or a Faithful. 

Throughout the series, the Faithfuls who aren't aware of their rival's identities, attempt to find the Traitors as they need to remove them all from the game in order to win the prize fund. 

However, if there are any Traitors still left in the game at the very end they will take home the prize fund. 

Previously, players banished during the final immediately confirmed whether they were a Traitor or a Faithful, providing a potential clue to the remaining contestants as to how many of each group could still be left in the game. 

However, this won't be the case for the latest contestants due to the format change. 

Claudia announced the news to the players during their first roundtable, she told them: 'Winning the money is gonna require even more smarts than ever this year. Listen carefully.' 

She went on to share: 'Those who make it to the final will no longer reveal their true identities as they leave, instead, you will need to rely solely on your instincts as to whether any Traitors are left in the game.' 

The Traitors continues Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One.