Imagine sitting around a massive oak table in a draughty Scottish castle. You’ve got Alan Carr to your left, Ruth Jones across from you, and Claudia Winkleman staring you down with enough eyeliner to sink a battleship. You’re terrified of being “murdered” in your sleep, but there’s one question that’s probably more pressing for the folks at home: how much do the celebrities get paid on Traitors for all this backstabbing?
Look, we all know the civilian version is about the “journey” and a life-changing pot of gold at the end. But when you get A-list names to skip their posh holidays and freeze in the Highlands for three weeks, a simple thank-you card isn’t going to cut it. It turns out the BBC has a very specific way of opening the chequebook, and it’s not quite the Hollywood lifestyle you might expect.
The Blanket Fee: Why Everyone Gets the Same Slice of Pie
The big secret behind the celebrity salaries came out during a proper “tea-spilling” session on The Rest is Entertainment podcast. Hosts Marina Hyde and Richard Osman revealed that for the first celebrity run, the BBC went with a “blanket fee” model.
Basically, most stars—whether they were a national treasure like Stephen Fry or a younger pop star—were reportedly offered a flat £40,000.
Now, here’s the kicker. That fee is the same whether you’re the first one booted out or you make it to the final breakfast. Honestly, it’s a brilliant bit of business for the BBC. It keeps the egos in check. Nobody can claim they’re more important than the person next to them because the invoice looks identical at the end of the month.
A Quick Reality Check:
While £40k sounds like a lot for three weeks of work, it’s actually a bit of a “budget” deal. For comparison, a big name on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! can easily command £500,000.
Does everyone actually get paid the same?
Well, maybe not. Rugby legend Joe Marler threw a bit of a spanner in the works. On a podcast, he mentioned that while he heard the £40k rumour, he actually received £30,000. So, while the £40k “blanket fee” is the target, there’s clearly some room for negotiation—or perhaps some stars are just happier with a slightly smaller wedge of cash for the experience.
The Stars of the Show: Season 1 Winners and Losers
There was a wild mix of talent for the first celebrity series. There was Tom Daley (the Olympic diver), Paloma Faith (the singer) and Stephen Fry (the genius). But in the end, none of them prevailed.
The winner overall was comedian Alan Carr. Well, as a Traitor, he double-crossed his way to the endgame and netted just shy of £88,000! But here’s the thing: Alan didn’t keep that money. In the celebrity edition, the rules are ironclad—the total prize money goes to the charity of the winner’s choice. Alan’s prize money has gone to the charity Neuroblastoma UK, which is close to his heart.
| Celebrity | Known For | Fate in the Castle |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Carr | Comedian | Winner (Traitor) |
| David Olusoga | Historian | Runner-up (Faithful) |
| Nick Mohammed | Ted Lasso Actor | Runner-up (Faithful) |
| Stephen Fry | Legend | Banished (Episode 6) |
| Paloma Faith | Singer | Murdered (Episode 2) |
Celebrity vs. Civilian: The “Fuming” Pay Gap
If you think the celebrities have it tough, spare a thought for the regular folks. The pay gap between the two versions of the show has actually caused a bit of a stir online.
| Feature | Civilian Contestants | Celebrity Contestants |
| Appearance Fee | None | £40,000 (standard) |
| Daily Rate | Approx. £100/day | Included in the fee |
| The Prize | Winner keeps it all | Charity only |
Contestants like Aaron Evans from Season 1 have been open about the fact that the BBC “subsidises” your lost wages at a rate of about £100 a day. So, if you’re a Faithful who gets murdered on night two, you’re basically going home with enough for a decent takeaway and a train ticket.
The 2026 Rumour Mill: Who’s Heading to the Castle?
As of February 2026, the buzz for Series 2 of the celebrity version is reaching fever pitch. The biggest news? Liam Gallagher. The Oasis frontman sent the internet into a meltdown this week. When a fan on X asked if he’d ever do the show, he casually replied, “I’ve been asked.“ Other names being “quietly approached” for the 2026 run include:
- Hugh Grant: Rumours suggest the Hollywood star has been sounded out for a “classy” Traitor role.
- Alison Hammond: The This Morning queen is said to be “in talks” for what producers call “comedy gold.”
- Ruth Jones: Gavin & Stacey’s finest is reportedly at the top of the BBC’s wishlist.
- Danny Dyer: After turning it down once, reports suggest he’s finally signed up for the 2026 series.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
How much do the celebrities get paid on Traitors?
The vast majority of the reports indicate a flat fee in the region of £40,000, but Joe Marler and some of the other stars have admitted a figure closer to £30,000.
Do the celebrities win any of the prize money?
No. All prize money from the competition and the final is donated to a charity of the winner’s choice.
Do civilian contestants get paid at all?
They do not get a fee but receive a “subsidy” of around £100 per day to pay for their living costs while they are filming.
Who won the last Celebrity Traitors?
Comedian Alan Carr became the champion of the first series as a Traitor, donating his winnings to Neuroblastoma UK.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, celebrities don’t sign up for The Traitors to get rich. Between the tax, the agents’ fees, and the freezing cold Scottish wind, that £40k doesn’t go as far as you’d think in Celeb-land. They do it for the same reason we watch it: because calling someone a liar to their face while wearing very expensive knitwear is some great drama, pure and uncut.
Anyway, if Liam Gallagher does sign that contract, I’m cancelling everything else for the autumn. Imagine him trying to be stealthy on a “murder” mission, God. Not a chance.
Sources and References
- The Rest Is Entertainment: Podcast insights on BBC talent fees – HuffPost UK
- Liam Gallagher confirms BBC approach for 2026 series – Rayo
- Celebrity Traitors salaries vs I’m A Celeb – The Mirror
- How much regular Traitors contestants are paid daily – LADbible
- BBC official confirmation for Celebrity Traitors Series 2 – The Guardian
