Comedian Joanne McNally has fueled rumors she is joining the cast of Celebrity Traitors after commenting on a new project that requires her to go without a phone.
Joanne McNally has sparked intense speculation that she is among the star-studded cast signed up for this year’s Celebrity Traitors.. As anticipation builds for the second celebrity edition of the hit BBC series, fans have been scouring the comedian’s recent public comments for any hint of her involvement.
Filming for the upcoming season, hosted once again by the iconic Claudia Winkleman, is scheduled to commence at the picturesque Ardross Castle next weekend.. With the show set to air later this autumn, the rumor mill has gone into overdrive, especially after a telling moment on McNally’s popular podcast, My Therapist Ghosted Me.
While recording with her co-host and close friend Vogue Williams, McNally mentioned an upcoming professional commitment that presents a significant personal challenge.. She revealed, “I have a job coming up that I’m not allowed to have a phone on.. And I’m so stressed about it.. Now, I want to do the job, obviously, but the idea of not having a phone…”
The Phone-Free Reality of Ardross Castle
For those unfamiliar with the rigorous production standards of the show, contestants are strictly prohibited from using mobile devices during filming.. The environment is designed to create isolation and intense psychological tension, with communication to the outside world limited to strictly monitored, staff-facilitated calls.. This setup is a hallmark of the format and is well-known to fans of both the civilian and celebrity iterations of the competition.
Vogue Williams, drawing from her own experience surviving the wilderness on I’m A Celebrity, attempted to soothe her friend’s anxiety by suggesting the digital detox would eventually become second nature.. McNally, however, remained visibly uneasy about the prospect of being disconnected.. She joked, “Are you sure?. I assume I might be just swiping on a brick, just to get the finger motion of it.”
This exchange aligns perfectly with the timeline of the production schedule. McNally currently has a notable gap in her busy ‘Pintophile’ stand-up tour during the exact window when the Scottish castle filming is expected to take place.
A Strategic Move for the BBC
Industry insiders have long suggested that casting someone with McNally’s profile is a strategic win for the BBC.. By tapping into her vast, dedicated audience—who primarily engage through podcasts and social media—the network effectively bridges the gap between traditional television viewership and a younger, digital-first demographic.
Her humor, deeply rooted in the relatable chaos of modern dating and single life, has already resonated with a massive demographic across Ireland, the UK, and beyond.. Integrating such a personality into the high-stakes, manipulative environment of the game show would likely provide exactly the kind of chaotic energy the producers are looking for.
Ultimately, whether or not McNally makes her way to the highlands remains an unconfirmed mystery.. The BBC has yet to release the official roster of contestants, preferring to keep the cards close to their chest until closer to the broadcast date.. For now, audiences are left to parse through tour schedules and off-hand podcast remarks, waiting to see if one of comedy’s brightest stars is about to be revealed as a traitor.