The Celebrity Traitors are REVEALED: Maya Jama and Richard E Grant are picked as this year's traitors as Love Island presenter exclaims 'My villain era has begun'

After months of anticipation and a stellar line up, the wait is over and this year's Celebrity Traitors have finally been revealed. 

And it was Maya Jama and Richard E Grant who Claudia Winkleman carefully selected to kick off this year's killings. 

The second series of the celebrity version of the hit BBC began on Thursday night with each celebrity star filing into Claudia's office for a consultation on whether they wished to be a traitor or a faithful. 

And after both expressing an interest in exploring their murderous potential, it was the Love Island presenter, 32, and legendary actor, 69, who took to the turret. 

A giggling Maya said to the camera: ‘Goodness. I don’t even know what to say! I’m so excited. I wanted to bring a different side of me out, and here she is. My villain era has begun.’

Richard added: ‘Yes! Absolutely thrilled, and I can’t wait to start murdering. I cannot wait!’

The series began with its most dramatic opening yet as the celebrities filed into the pews of a church before Claudia arrived via coffin. 

Emerging out of the box, the host began: 'Wow, that was quite the nap.' 

Warning the stars that their celebrity status won't save them inside the castle, she added that they should all be used to the 'fickle' and 'backstabbing' world of showbusiness. 

Meeting in the turret for the first time, Maya and Richard were both equally shocked to see each other, especially after Richard's antics when he seemingly unveil his status. 

Just minutes after being picked and promising to keep his identity a secret – Richard made the biggest slip-up in Celebrity Traitors history.

As Richard mingled with Faithful Joe Lycett in the lounge area, the comedian jumped straight in with the question: 'What are you?'

'A Traitor,' Richard responded with a huge grin on his face. 

Unsure what to believe, Joe said: 'I think you've just done something that has never happened in the game... bold strategy.'

Talking tactics later in the turret with Maya, she warned him: 'You're in deep trouble,' before joking: 'He's like my unhinged uncle running around the castle.' 

Many fans have suggested on social media that Richard's slip-up was in fact carefully curated to call the comedian's bluff. 

It wouldn't be the Traitors without a gripping twist, and it was soon revealed to the pair that they would have the power to choose their third accomplice.

As Claudia revealed the twist she tells the pair: 'You may have noticed there is only two of you. That won't be for long.

'I'm giving you the opportunity to choose a third Traitor to join you. Tomorrow night you will invite two people to a face-to-face meeting. 

'They will plead for their chance to join you as a Traitor. You will choose one of them to complete your trio, and the other one, well they will have seen too much, so there is only one way for them to go.'

Embracing the role, Richard joked: 'Murder. They'll beg... they'll beg. There is a god'.

Claudia asked: 'Are you happy with that power?' as Richard replied: 'Oh, I'm loving it.'

Maya and Richard then vowed to defend each other.

Opting to choose Radio 4 host Amol Rajan and comedian James Acaster - the pair were forced to lie in coffins. 

‘It is you, me, and two coffins. That’s not great, is it?’ James quipped.

Richard and Maya were then given the power to choose either Amol or James to join them as the third Traitor, while the other will be murdered.

Claudia, 54, explained: ‘To survive, you will have to convince them that you are the best recruit.

‘It is literally a decision of life and death.’

James, 41, who wanted to be a Faithful, said with a shaky voice: ‘I think currently everyone is convinced I’m a Faithful. I’ve been pushing your name [points to Grant]. I’m pretty confident I’m the right decision.’

Amol, 43, then confidently said: ‘I have no heat on me whatsoever, and that is going to be useful. The second thing is I have established some good relationships. I know they’ll believe what I say.

‘And that is why the third pillar, which is relevant to you, Richard, I do think I am uniquely placed to take the heat off you. I’m here because I sniff out lies for a living.’

The tense scene then saw the traitors deliberate in the chapel, with the two coffins in front of them.

Claudia asked for their decision on who would be shut in the coffin and out of the game.

This series has attracted some huge names including James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Miranda Hart, Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett.

However it is Michael Sheen who emerged as the surprise favourite to win the show, in odds revealed hours before the BBC hit made its long-awaited return.

Odds have now given a hint of how this new series could play out, with Michael currently the bookies' favourite to win the entire show.

Figures published by ActionNetwork.com say the Good Omens star has odds of 7/2 to triumph, though whether he is chosen to be a Traitor remains to be seen.

In second place is actor Richard E Grant with odds of 9/2, while The Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey rounds out the top three with 5/1.

Singer James Blunt and actress & comedian Miranda Hart are tied in 4th place as the next most likely to win The Celebrity Traitors, both with odds of 11/2.

An ActionNetwork.com spokesperson said: 'Ahead of the start of series 2 of The Celebrity Traitors, Michael Sheen tops the winner odds list at 7/2, and it's easy to see why - as an accomplished actor, he has the range to convincingly play a traitor, and could well end up filling the ''big dog'' role Jonathan Ross took on last series.

'Meanwhile, Richard E. Grant follows closely with winning odds of 9/2; Grant has shades of Stephen Fry about him - the wise-figure archetype who went far last time round, equally capable of playing a cunning traitor or being a trusted faithful.

'Turning to the most likely contestants to be named a traitor this series, since Claudia & the producers might again lean on a comedian for that role, Romesh Ranganathan leads that market at 5/2 - though with Alan Carr's victorious traitor run still fresh in everyone's minds, the comedians on this cast may find themselves facing extra suspicion from the start.'

Last year's launch episode attracted more than six million viewers.

And with anticipation building, fans are already making plans to watch the first episode together, with pubs, bars and private venues across Britain preparing for a night of scheming and suspicion.

In London, ticketed viewing events are being held at venues including BrewDog bars, the Fulham Pier and the Arch Clapham, where fans can watch the drama unfold on a big screen and win prizes.

The London Art Bar is also getting in on the action, promising an evening of 'scheming, suspense and snacks' and encouraging guests to turn up dressed as their best Claudia Winkleman – 'fringe, eyeliner, and all'.