BBC The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman reveals why she was reluctant to sign up for season 2

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Claudia Winkleman has said she was so taken aback by the success of the first series of The Traitors that she did not want to do another one.

The TV star hosts the psychological reality show, filmed at Ardross Castle in the Highlands, in which 22 contestants must take part in a game of deception and detection in a bid to win £120,000.She said: “The success of the first series literally winded us.”She continued: “I said to lovely Studio Lambert (the production company) and the BBC ‘Let’s just leave it.

This thing happened, this magical thing happened. Enough!’“The head of the BBC said she wanted to take my temperature.“So we went again but I’m nervous and weird about it.”The first series of the show was a ratings hit, as viewers were gripped by the twists and turns of the deception as it unravelled.Winkleman said: “What happened never happens.

It was overwhelming for all of us.“When Kathy Burke, who is a hero of mine, and Russell T Davies, when they tweeted, I was amazed with the whole experience.“It felt like some sort of magical dust and I just don’t want people’s expectations to be so high.”Assessing what made the show so popular, she said: “The people who make it are extraordinary and the game is compelling. Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. “And I also think it taps into… I don’t know about you, but I’ve been told that all my life – trust your gut.“When you meet somebody and you fall in love, or you think you’ve fallen in love, or you get asked to do a job, trust your gut.“But it turns out you can’t.