Casting for the next series of the The Traitors is now open and underway, and Mancs are being asked to apply.
There’s absolutely no denying The Traitors is a cultural phenomenon at this point, is there?
While the first series of the smash-hit BBC reality competition show proved pretty popular when it premiered back in 2022, the second series – which started airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at the start of the new year, and finished up last Friday (26 January) – took things to a whole new level, and truly seemed to capture the attentions of the nation like no other.
Viewers tuned in in their millions to the three episodes each week, and consistently took to social media to share their thoughts and weigh-in on every little twist and turn.
So it really doesn’t take much to work out that those millions of enthusiastic fans will be extremely keen for the next series then, does it?
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Well luckily, the BBC has confirmed that series three of The Traitors is, in fact, happening and in the works as we speak – with the show’s producers, Studio Lambert, opening applications and actively-casting for the right participants.
A casting call on the BBC and Studio Lambert website reads: “The Traitors is back, and we’re looking for fun, smart, and strategic players to take part in the ultimate game.
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“The Traitors is a competition series built on strategy and suspicion. The aim for the ‘Traitors’ is to stay undetected until the end, and the aim for the ‘Faithfuls’ is to banish all of the Traitors before the game ends. Throughout the series, there will be twists, turns, shocks and surprises for the players.
“It’s game of trust and treachery… but do you have what it takes to play?”
Reckon you’ve got what it takes then? Fancy sticking an application in for series three of the show? Why wouldn’t you.
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To apply for series three of The Traitors, you just need to be over 18 years of age, a legal resident of the UK, and be available to take part in filming for the programme for up to four weeks – which is currently anticipated to be this spring or summer.
You have until Sunday 11 February to get your applications in, so you’ll need to be quick.
Wayne Rooney joins the cast of Gary Neville’s The Overlap
Danny Jones
Wayne Rooney has secured a new job just a few months on from departing as Birmingham City head coach, with the Manchester United and England legend being named as the latest member of The Overlap team.
Set to join the cast of the popular Stick to Football online series alongside the likes of former teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, as well as the rest of the recurring panel.
Rooney is also set to feature on various other shows across The Overlap channel, including the likes of their regular fan debates and other interviews with athletes and well-known figures.
They announced the signing in true transfer window fashion as well.
As transfer expert Fabrizio Romano quips in the video, Rooney “has signed an agreement with The Overlap” and is expected to make his debut very soon
‘Wazza’ has appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports in recent weeks and has even been spotted playing some FIFA with comedy YouTuber AngryGinge as part of his pro clubs series, but hasn’t been in a steady role since being sacked as the Birmingham manager at the start of the year.
Having already appeared as a guest in one of the most popular episodes of Stick to Football and clearly sharing a strong chemistry with his old friends – as well as the likes of fellow Scouser Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Ian Wright – it looks to be a natural fit for the sport-based channel.
The 38-year-old revealed some pretty interesting details about his playing and managerial career last time around, not to mention some of the other offers he’s had since…
Rooney reiterated during his own interview that his primary focus is still on coaching and finding his next managerial role, but for the time being, he’ll be bringing the insight of another ex-pro to the popular YouTube channel.
Speaking on his latest move, the former striker said, “I’m excited to announce that I will be joining my good mate Gary Neville and the team at The Overlap to appear on the channel across some of their brilliant shows on YouTube and the podcast. I can’t wait to get started”.
With an episode from at least one of their series going out most weeks, you can expect to see the footballing legend back on the channel soon.
Featured Images — The Overlap/Wayne Rooney (via Instagram)
TV & Showbiz
Paddy McGuinness announces work-in-progress shows ahead of first stand-up tour in eight years
Danny Jones
Beloved British comic Paddy McGuinness is heading back out on his first live stand-up tour in eight years this year and has announced a new run of work-in-progress shows in preparation, including one right here in Greater Manchester.
McGuinness hasn’t been out on the live comedy circuit for the best part of a decade but announced his long-awaited return late last year, with the 50-year-old heading out on the road this October.
However, as he looks to get stage sharp shape ahead of his ‘Nearly There’ tour, Paddy has picked a pair of local North West venues for the WIP sets, with a trio of shows at The Met in Bury, as well as half a dozen over in Darwen, Lancashire.
Just like the tour itself, these are sure to go quickly.
The Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy star is playing nearly half a century of shows across the UK and Ireland from this fall onwards before closing out his tour in Dublin by April 2025.
His last tour, ‘Daddy McGuinness’ ran from 2015-16 and got pretty decent reviews across the board, with the focus largely revolving around his journey into parenthood, but his latest material is set to be quite the shift in tone.
Speaking ahead of the tour, the former Take Me Out and Top Gear host said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, clickbait and fake news!”
Paddy also made a bit of a stir around these parts recently after he declared Bolton as still being part of Lancashire. No likey, no lighty on that one – sorry Paddy.
But never mind all that, we’re glad to see him getting back to his roots. The Farnworth-born funny man was also recently given a permanent role on BBC Radio 2 after becoming a firm favourite amongst the listenership. He will now run the 11am-1pm slot on Sundays.
As for his tour, after his warm-up shows in Bury and Darwen, the household name will be heading to The Lowry in Salford in March next year, with other nearby shows in the likes of Blackburn and Blackpool.
Tickets for Paddy McGuinness’ work-in-progress dates go on sale Friday, 3 May at 10am.