Claudia Winkleman reveals what she REALLY thinks of The Traitors US - and how she and Alan Cumming share presenting tips

Claudia Winkleman has revealed what she really thinks of the US version of her hit TV show The Traitors. 

The broadcaster, 52, won her first BAFTA in 2023 for hosting the iconic game show - which is filmed in the stunning Ardross Castle, situated in the Scottish Highlands. 

The UK version was derived from the original dutch show De Verraders - before franchises were created in the US and Australia. 

But Claudia revealed to The Sunday Times that there is a secret rivalry between her version and the US series, hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming. 

Claudia said that her and Alan share presenting notes after filming - but cannot watch each others' series because they feel territorial.

'Alan and I leave notes for each other, but I can’t watch the American one, and Alan can’t watch me, because we are both so territorial,' she said.

'I just didn’t understand why he was in my castle and he feels the same. "What's that orange woman doing in my castle with my owl?"' 

Claudia recently revealed to The Midpoint podcast that she initially turned down presenting the show because she didn’t want to spend more than three weeks filming in Scotland.

The star was offered the job but turned it down because she didn’t want to be away from her family.

But, after watching the original Dutch version, Claudia became ‘obsessed’ and quickly fired off an email to BBC bosses changing her mind.

Claudia, who also presents Strictly Come Dancing, said: 'The Traitors is something I initially turned down because I didn’t like leaving my bed or the kids and they were like "Would you go to Scotland for three and a half weeks?".

'And I was like "I don’t think so" and then I watched the Dutch version and I became so obsessed.

'I sent an email to Kate Phillips who offered me the job, who works at the BBC, saying "I've booked a train, I want to do this more than anything" because it is a privilege to watch the psychology and gameplay up close.'

Last month, the BBC shared a first look at the brand new series of The Traitors and revealed the release date.

The much-anticipated series of the award-winning show will return to screens on New Year's Day with Claudia back at the helm.

And in a sizzling new teaser, the show promises to come 'back with a bang' as a new group of strangers gear up to battle it out in the hope of winning up to £120,000 in ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust.

The eerie clip sees three cloaked traitors carrying lanterns as they make their way up to the castle under the cover of darkness. 

As the series' haunting theme music plays, a firework then explodes in the sky revealing the show's logo followed by the New Year's Day release date.

Claudia then appears on screen, telling the camera: 'Start the new year with a bang.'

The format for the nail-biting show will follow the previous series', with episodes released in batches of three, airing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.

While the first two episodes will air at 8pm, episode three and beyond will be on screen from 9pm. 

In addition to the new civilian series, the Official visualised podcast, Traitors Uncloaked, hosted by stand up comedian Ed Gamble returns and will be available directly after every episode of the main show on BBC Two and iPlayer.

The BBC have yet to confirm the line-up of Traitors and Faithfuls for the 2025 series, but the newcomers will have big shoes to fill following iconic characters from last series including secret mum Diane Carson, villain Paul Gorton and of course eventual winner Harry Clarke. 

Harry won The Traitors' £95,000 prize in January after deceiving his fellow contestants, including Faithful runner-up Mollie Pierce.