Reality game franchise: social deduction in a historic setting
The BBC’s annual salaries list shows Scott Mills as the highest-paid on-air star for 2025–26, following his sacking in March amid a police probe into historical offences. Several long-time earners have departed, while others remain and new leadership roles at radio and TV are highlighted.
Claudia Winkleman has announced she is stepping back from The Claudia Winkleman Show after seven episodes. She says she was too nervous to enjoy the conversations, while the BBC confirms the decision does not affect her other projects. The development follows mixed reviews and ratings for the strand.
The Celebrity Traitors has won best reality competition at the NTAs, with Alan Carr receiving a special recognition award. Paloma Faith staged a coffin entrance, while Carr reflected on the year’s achievements as the ceremony celebrated multiple categories.
The National Television Awards 2026 have taken place at the O2 in London, hosted by Joel Dommett for the sixth year. Alan Carr receives the Special Recognition Award; winners include Mrs Brown’s Boys, This Morning, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, David Attenborough, Gogglebox and The Celebrity Traitors.
The BBC has confirmed RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will depart BBC Three and iPlayer, moving future series to World of Wonder’s Wow Presents Plus. The decision is part of the BBC’s 500 million savings drive, with the current eighth series continuing on BBC Three and iPlayer before the move. Fans and contestants warn the shift may reduce queer representation on UK screens.
Channel 4’s Apocalypse puts 14 strangers in an abandoned Indiana town to survive 28 days with scarce resources. Two camps, tense leadership struggles, and board-up supermarkets mark the early days of the social experiment.
Matthew Rhys has become the first actor to win two lead acting Emmys in a single night, taking honors for Widow’s Bay (comedy) and The Beast in Me (limited series). He also holds a previous lead drama win, making him the first man to win in all three lead acting categories. Apple TV+’s Widow’s Bay dominates the night with 14 wins.
The Celebrity Traitors returns to BBC One from 1 October with an expanded 21-strong cast, led by Claudia Winkleman. The Highlands castle setting remains central, and the prize pot stands at £120,000 for charity as celebrities vie to unmask Traitors and outplay Faithfuls.
A round-up of recent Scottish cultural and arts funding and festival developments shows Screen Scotland's investment in film and TV; Wigtown Book Festival returns with guests; National Galleries of Scotland gains new acquisitions; RSA highlights support for artists.