Fans of The Celebrity Traitors finally know when they can watch Crawley comedian Romesh Ranganathan take part in the hit BBC reality series.

The Celebrity Traitors will return for its second series on Thursday, October 1 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

A new trailer for the series features Ranganathan several times, including an exchange with his friend and fellow contestant Rob Beckett over whether either of them is a Traitor.

Ranganathan is shown denying that he is a Traitor before asking Beckett the same question. Beckett gives him the same answer – leaving viewers with plenty to speculate about ahead of the new series.

The trailer also shows the celebrity contestants meeting each other and taking part in a mission as host Claudia Winkleman puts the finishing touches to the game.

The new series will air twice a week, on Thursday and Friday evenings at 8pm.

Ranganathan is among 21 famous faces heading to the Scottish Highlands to take part in the ultimate game of detection, trust and betrayal, with contestants hoping to win up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice.

The Crawley-born comedian is joined by Amol Rajan, Bella Ramsey, James Acaster, James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Joanne McNally, Joe Lycett, Julie Hesmondhalgh, King Kenny, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Maya Jama, Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Myha’la, Professor Hannah Fry, Richard E. Grant, Rob Beckett, Ross Kemp, Sebastian Croft and Sharon Rooney.

The confirmed October 1 launch date ends weeks of speculation among fans, after September 23 had previously been widely reported as a possible start date before being disputed.

A social media account called The Traitors HQ had also claimed the series would begin on October 1, although the date had not been officially confirmed at the time.

That has now changed, with the BBC confirming the launch date and revealing further details about the new series.

Ranganathan, 48, was born in Crawley and previously taught at Hazelwick School.

Fans of The Traitors have been given a glimpse of the new celebrity instalment, of the hit BBC show, with Crawley comedian Romesh Ranganathan in the star-studded cast. (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images)

placeholder image — Fans of The Traitors have been given a glimpse of the new celebrity instalment, of the hit BBC show, with Crawley comedian Romesh Ranganathan in the star-studded cast. (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images)

He has frequently spoken about his hometown and is the author of the autobiography Straight Outta Crawley.

He has also appeared on programmes including Asian Provocateur, A League of Their Own, The Weakest Link, Taskmaster and Rob & Romesh Vs.

His appearance alongside Beckett could be particularly interesting for fans, given the pair's long-standing friendship and their previous work together.

Ranganathan will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow comedian Alan Carr, who won the first series of The Celebrity Traitors in 2025.

The Traitors is hosted by Claudia Winkleman. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI)

The first series was a huge success, averaging 14.9 million viewers across its run, with the finale attracting a peak audience of 15.4 million.

The BBC said the finale was the highest-rated episode of an entertainment programme since 2016.

The official video podcast The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked will also return alongside the new series.

Hosted by Ed Gamble, the programme will feature banished and murdered players alongside previous celebrity and non-celebrity contestants, with reactions and analysis of the latest betrayals and gameplay.

The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked will air on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds from 9.15pm on October 1, immediately after the main programme.

A new BBC iPlayer feature, Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides, will also reveal how Winkleman chooses her Traitors, as she gets to know the contestants and questions their intentions.

The Celebrity Traitors starts on Thursday, October 1 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.