Claudia Winkleman teases shocking moment from The Traitors' new series that left her 'shaking' - after originally turning down chance to return as host

Claudia Winkleman has teased a shocking moment from the latest series of The Traitors ahead of it's much anticipated return on New Year's Day. 

The 52-year-old won her first BAFTA in 2023 for hosting the smash hit BBC gameshow and said the third series left her and the crew 'shaking'.

Claudia told The Sunday Times: 'I can't wait for you to see it, there's something in it that takes my breath away.

'Chairs are tipped over. When everybody's gone, the crew and I stand there and shake because we've just witnessed real emotion, real tension, a real release.'

However despite it's huge success, Claudia revealed she originally didn't want the show to continue past its first outing in 2020, due to her thinking it would be 'chic' to make something well once and then put it to bed.  

'The boss at the BBC literally came over and took my temperature and was like, "We go again".

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.