Jeremy Clarkson takes scathing swipe at BBC series: ‘I’ve worked in TV for 30 years’

Jeremy Clarkson takes scathing swipe at BBC series: ‘I’ve worked in TV for 30 years’ Charlotte Minter Published December 3, 2025 1:26pm Updated December 3, 2025 1:29pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Jeremy Clarkson is sceptical of the show’s authenticity (Picture: Ian West/PA) Key Points summary__ai-icon

• Jeremy Clarkson criticised the BBC show Celebrity Traitors, doubting its authenticity.
• He stated he wouldn’t participate, citing disbelief in the show’s premise and being too busy.
• Clarkson is set for more Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Clarkson’s Farm episodes.

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Jeremy Clarkson has had his fair share of time on the telly, but there’s one BBC show he’s completely ruled out and taken a dig at in the process, too.

The Sun columnist, 65, is back for a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Christmas special and a fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm in 2026. 

With hints that the next instalment of his farming show could be the last, fans might be left wondering if he’ll have more time for other telly commitments… Celebrity Traitors perhaps?

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) not. The former Top Gear presenter has taken himself out of the running to be the next floundering Faithful or treacherous Traitor. 

Talking to The Sun, Clarkson said: ‘Come on, I’ve worked in television for 30 years. You’re not going to spend that much money on a programme where there’s a risk it all falls to pieces.’

Clarkson claimed producers must be manipulating the show behind the scenes, but admitted there are some interferences that go too far: ‘You can’t actually say to a contestant, “Say this” and ‘say that’, you can’t, but…’.

Clarkson’s reputation is one of being outspoken and controversial (Picture: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto) Clarkson’s Farm has run for four series, and another is due next year (Picture: Prime Video)

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He added: ‘I just don’t believe it’s all for real, because nothing in television is. 

‘I’m sitting there going, how are they doing this? It could just be unbelievably painstaking editing.’

The show relies on nobody finding out who the Traitors are throughout the whole of the production. One foot wrong by a member of the cast or crew could jeopardise the whole game. 

While fans of the show have been plotting who they’d like to see in the next series of Celebrity Traitors, confirmed for 2026, Clarkson’s name has featured.

Known for his outspoken opinions and controversial behaviour, the media personality would likely not keep quiet at the round table. 

On whether he’d go into the castle, the 65-year-old said: ‘I wouldn’t in a million years. I’ve got ten jobs already. Why would I want 11?’

@metroentertainment

Nadine Coyle would be SO iconic 👀 After last night’s intense finale of @bbc’s Celebrity Traitors we couldn’t help but start our wish-list of which celebrities we would love to see in season 2. But what about you, who would you like to see enter the castle? 🏰 🎥 @catrionawalshx #celebritytraitors #traitors #nadinecoyle #oliviacoleman #roykeane #casting

♬ The Traitors Main Theme – Sam Watts

This year, Alan Carr achieved success and won the spin-off series as a Traitor after tricking his fellow castmates; he was a Faithful all along. The finale attracted a whopping 15million viewers.

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Thankfully, fans don’t have to wait too long for their next Traitors fix as the original version will return on New Year’s Day.

Metro has contacted BBC for comment.

The Celebrity Traitors is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and The Traitors will return to BBC One at 8pm on New Year’s Day.

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