Traitors bosses want Friends star Courteney Cox for a celebrity version of the reality show… and she’s already ‘best friends’ with host Claudia Winkleman
Courteney Cox is reportedly lined up as the first signing for a famous version of The Traitors.
The actress, 59, is close friends with the show’s host Claudia Winkleman, 52, and she claimed bosses hope their friendship will convince Courteney to sign up.
American star Courteney was known around the world for her role as Monica Geller in the hit sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004.
Insiders have claimed that producers are hoping to have their pick of a number of big stars who are themselves fans of the reality show following the success of the first two series, which featured previously unknown contestants.
A TV insider said this The sun: ‘The fact that the producers have a star from Friends in their sights shows the caliber of famous faces Celebrity Traitors is aiming for.
Courteney Cox is reportedly lined up as the first signing for a celebrity version of The Traitors (Courtney, left, pictured with The Traitors host and friend Claudia Winkleman)
The Traitors presenter Claudia (left) is good friends with actress Courteney (right), and the pair were seen together in London last month
American star Courteney was known around the world for her role as Monica Geller in the hit sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004 (Courteney seen as Monica, left, alongside her Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green in 1994)
‘After the show was announced, producers were inundated with calls from big names and their agents wanting to throw their hat in the ring – a big surprise for many.
‘Courteney has always been a fan of the show, especially as the British version features her pal Claudia front and center.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBC and a representative for Courteney for comment.
It was reported last month producers probably looked at stars like Wagatha Christie is the competitor of Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy.
Others on the potential roster are said to include former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who finished third on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2022, and Match of the Day presenter and former footballer Gary Lineker.
A TV insider said this The sun: ‘Bosses want big names because the show gets big ratings, and they know they have plenty to choose from as The Traitors has big fans in the showbiz world…
“But they also want stars who are likely to be great gamers and who have great survival skills, the ability to pull off doubles or have a way of sniffing out a backstabber.”
‘Rumors of a celebrity series have been swirling since The Traitors dropped in 2022 and the show became an instant hit – but so far they’ve been unfounded gossip.’
Courtney previously appeared in a skit for The Traitors in which she begged Claudia to let her participate
Courteney insisted she was a fan of the show as she appeared in the sketch ahead of series two, which aired last month
The insider added that BBC bosses wanted the civilian version of the show to become well established before they started planning a celebrity version.
However, the first two series have proven to be such successes that TV bigwigs have apparently decided to continue with the celebrity spin-off.
“They’re also shooting for the stars,” the insider added. ‘Because they don’t understand why they can’t attract the same caliber of people who are currently signing up for Strictly and I’m A Celebrity.’
MailOnline contacted the BBC for comment.
The Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman has previously said she hoped some big names would appear in a celebrity version of the show.
She named a number of people she would like to see appear and said: ‘Victoria Coren, Kirsty Young, Adam Woodyatt, Stephen Fry, Alison Hammond… let’s do that.’
It comes after The Traitors winner Harry Clark reportedly turned down Celebrity Big Brother despite being offered £250,000 to star in the show.
Harry took the nation by storm with his tactful performance on the BBC show as he stole the £95,150 winnings from the faithful.
But despite the ITV reality show earning him more than double his prize money, The sun has revealed that the army corporal chose to turn down the opportunity.
It comes after Harry signed with talent agency Inter Talent earlier this week after meeting with more than 15 different agencies.
It’s claimed producers are hoping to have their pick of a number of big stars who are fans of the reality show, including Wagatha Christie rivals Coleen Rooney (left) and Rebekah Vardy (right) (pictured at trial in May 2022)
The Traitors presenter Claudia has previously said she hoped some big names would appear in a celebrity version of the show, including Andrew Garfield (pictured last month)
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock (right), who finished third in 2022’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker (left) are also suggested names
Claudia has also said she would like This Morning presenter Alison Hammond to appear in a famous version of The Traitors (Alison pictured on This Morning last month)
An inside source told the publication: ‘Just like his time on the whodunnit show, he is incredibly smart about every move he makes and wants to play the long game.
‘He has no idea that he likes doing reality TV. And while he was incredibly flattered by the offer, Celebrity Big Brother didn’t feel like the right project for him.
“He is now receiving expert guidance from one of the country’s top talent agencies, after no fewer than 16 companies approached him to close deals on his behalf.”
Harry’s representatives told MailOnline they could not comment.
The Traitors winner Harry Clark, 23, has reportedly turned down a £250,000 offer for major reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother as he signs with a talent agency