Run Away star reveals they was approached for Celebrity Traitors season 2 – but turned it down for surprising reason

James Nesbitt has revealed he was asked to appear in the next season of Celebrity Traitors, but turned down the chance to take part in the hit reality series.

The actor, who is no stranger to playing detective, admitted he had been approached for season 2, but said no because he was "too scared".

During an appearance on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Nesbitt said: "When I was asked, because I was in at the BBC, and I went, 'Oh, sounds amazing.'

"Then I spoke to my agent and he said no. Because I just thought, 'How do I follow that?' It was so brilliant."

The Celebrity Traitors was a phenomenal hit for the BBC last year, so much so just days after its conclusion, it was announced the series would be returning in 2026.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, said of the renewal: "Studio Lambert have done an outstanding job as The Celebrity Traitors has well and truly captivated the nation, becoming a bona fide highlight of the year bringing record numbers of people together to enjoy every twist and turn.

"In 2026 the doors of the castle will be opened again to welcome celebrity players to the game to see who can charm, who can scheme and ultimately who can survive in series two which promises to be just as unmissable as the first.

"Plus with Uncloaked returning and today’s news of the positive contribution The Traitors brand has made to Scotland’s economy, there is plenty to celebrate."

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The final episode, which saw Alan Carr win as a Traitor, achieved an incredible 15 million viewers, and it soon became the biggest on demand audience of any series across the market at seven days since records began.

The renewal was also announced alongside the publication of a new Economic Impact Report, which revealed that The Traitors franchise – including the UK, US and Celebrity editions – has generated an estimated £21.8 million boost in Gross Value Added (GVA) to Scotland’s economy since filming began in 2022.

The Celebrity Traitors will return to BBC One later this year. Season 1 is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.

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