Kate Garraway is set to take on a new challenge as she joins Celebrity Traitors, the BBC’s first celebrity edition of the hit reality show, alongside the likes of Stephen Fry

Kate Garraway is set to take on a new challenge as she joins Celebrity Traitors

Kate Garraway has joined the cast of Celebrity Traitors, the BBC’s first celebrity edition of the popular reality series. The 57-year-old, is set to appear alongside Stephen Fry, 67, and former England rugby player Joe Marler, 34, at Ardross Castle in Scotland. Kate is no stranger to reality TV, having previously competed in I’m A Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here! in 2019, where she finished in fourth place. That series was won by EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa.

Just months after her time in the jungle, Kate’s husband, Derek Draper, fell seriously ill with Covid-19. He battled health complications for four years before passing away in January last year. During his illness, Kate became an advocate for long Covid awareness and openly discussed the financial struggles she faced while arranging care for her husband.

A source revealed that Kate would be heading to Scotland next month to begin filming for the show, which will once again be hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

Kate Garraway is set to take on a new challenge as she joins Celebrity Traitors(Image: ITV)

The insider told The Sun : “Kate has signed her contract for Celebrity Traitors.” They continued: “The BBC were avoiding stars who’ve done reality TV before but Kate’s someone they want to support and champion.

“She’s a great journalist and they think she’s perfect for a seat at the table. She’s had such a tough time since losing Derek and is a huge fan of the show so this is a dream come true for her.”

Celebrities reported to have signed up to the much-loved murder mystery show include Stephen Fry, Tom Daley, Clare Balding and Robert Peston. Alan Carr, Jennifer Saunders and Paloma Faith are also names in the mix. Comedian Bob Mortimer has said he’d love to star on the celebrity version of the show.

The 65-year-old told how is a huge fan of the series and that producers should “definitely count him in”. “It’s the only show of its kind on TV that I would agree to get involved with… I’d love to do it,” he said. Presenter Claudia has admitted she’d find it tough if a pal happened to be on the show. “I haven’t vetoed anyone, but it would be hard if a great friend did it,” she explained.

Nearly 10 million people watched the final episode of this year’s series last month of The Traitors, setting a new record for the biggest audience in the programme’s history. The tense game show saw Faithfuls Jake Brown and Leanne Quigley outwit their fellow contestants to share a prize fund of £94,600. A BBC spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on speculation.”

The popular BBC programme will begin filming it’s celebrity edition next month(Image: BBC / Studio Lambert)

Last month, it was revealed that the first series of Celebrity Traitors was thrown into chaos just weeks before filming was due to begin as two stars had pulled out as they couldn’t be away from their families

Daisy May Cooper was one of the stars who pulled out along with her brother Charlie, just weeks before filming started. Their last minute decision left producers pulling their hair out as they scramble to replace them. A source close to Daisy told how the This Country star and her sibling quit the show two weeks ago, saying they couldn’t be away from their young families.

Mum-of-three Daisy, 38, welcomed baby Benji with partner Anthony Huggins, 45, in June. She also has Pip, six, and Jack, three, from a previous relationship. Charlie, 35, has two children with his wife Leighanne. A source said: “It’s caused producers a real headache as it’s so close to filming.

“They’d banked on Daisy and Charlie being TV gold so it’s disappointing they won’t be a part of the first Celebrity Traitors. They’re hilarious and brilliant on telly together – plus being brother and sister would have brought a really interesting element to the series.” Daisy is currently on telly with the second series of her BBC comedy Am I Being Unreasonable?, which also features Charlie.