The BBC is grappling with a potentially damaging leak concerning the reality series The Celebrity Traitors, which has prompted concerns over spoilers ahead of the show’s finale scheduled for later this month. The program, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, has attracted a sizable audience of 9.6 million viewers for its most recent Friday episode.

Filmed earlier this year at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, the series has maintained strict confidentiality agreements with participating celebrities, who signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent details of the show’s proceedings from becoming public. Despite these measures, information about the finalists has reportedly surfaced, sparking discussions within entertainment circles and raising worries about the integrity of the viewing experience.

Sources indicate that the leak has caused the identities of those advancing to the final stages to become a topic of speculation at social gatherings, compounding the risk of further disclosures. The BBC has reportedly urged those aware of the information to refrain from sharing it online or through social media platforms, in an effort to preserve the suspense for the audience.

The threat posed by such leaks is not without precedent. Last year, the series’ finale was inadvertently released a day early on a Canadian streaming service, Crave, although the incident did not significantly impact UK viewership, with 11 million tuning in to see Alan Carr crowned the winner.

This season’s finale remains open to the possibility of multiple winners, with the outcome shrouded in secrecy among a limited group comprising production staff, contestants, and a few close associates. Some participants have publicly acknowledged breaches of the NDAs: comedian Joanne McNally revealed on her podcast that she knows the winner, while Joe Lycett admitted to sharing details widely despite the restrictions, including on platforms such as WhatsApp and even during casual conversations with drivers. Actor Ross Kemp described the NDA as being unusually extensive.

The most recent episode concluded with a cliffhanger involving contestants Ross Kemp, comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, and singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock in a game resembling hide and seek. Leigh-Anne holds a key that grants protection from elimination, although speculation persists about other high-profile participants who may obtain it. Earlier developments included the elimination of actress Bella Ramsey and the banishment of Coronation Street’s Julie Hesmondhalgh during a Round Table event.

The Celebrity Traitors continues to air Thursdays at 8 p.m. on BBC One.