From Dailymail · · 2m
Woke BBC bosses tried to BAN the words 'murder' and 'kill' on The Traitors
BBC executives wanted to replace 'murder' and 'kill' with 'eliminated' and 'exited' for The Traitors but refused to back down.
In brief
BBC executives wanted to replace 'murder' and 'kill' with 'eliminated' and 'exited' for The Traitors but refused to back down. BBC's entertainment executive Syeda Irtizaali defended using 'murder' and 'kill' in The Traitors despite BBC policy advisers' push to avoid the terms. Originally reported by Dailymail.
BBC bosses tried to ban 'murder' and 'kill'
BBC executives wanted to replace 'murder' and 'kill' with 'eliminated' and 'exited' for The Traitors.
“BBC bosses tried to strip The Traitors of the words 'murder' and 'kill' amid fears they could upset viewers”
Syeda Irtizaali defends the terms
Syeda Irtizaali, the UK entertainment executive behind The Traitors, insisted audiences wouldn't confuse it with real crime.
“Our audiences are not going to get confused with a real-life news story and this camp old show”
The Traitors' dark theme
The Traitors uses murder mystery themes with contestants being picked off in a game of deception.
“The themes of The Traitors are murder mystery. I wanted to go even darker”
BBC policy advisers' pushback
BBC policy advisers suggested 'eliminated' and 'exited' as less sinister alternatives to 'murder' and 'kill'.
“They said, can we say eliminated and exited? Because what if there's murder on the same day that the show goes out?”
Syeda Irtizaali's background
Syeda Irtizaali left BBC in March 2026 after five years to become Netflix's unscripted television director.
“Syeda Irtizaali left her role at the BBC in March this year after five years at the corporation and is now director of unscripted television at Netflix”
The Traitors' success
The Traitors became BBC's biggest hit with over 15 million viewers last year and returned this autumn.
“It has since become one of the BBC's biggest hits, spawning a hugely successful celebrity spin-off that attracted more than 15 million viewers last year”
Celebrity contestants
This year's celebrity contestants include Maya Jama, Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Jerry Hall and James Blunt.
“This year's celebrity contestants include Maya Jama, Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Jerry Hall and James Blunt”
BBC's initial filming plans
BBC initially wanted to film The Traitors in Costa Rica with bikinis and hot tubs.
“They wanted to make it in Costa Rica with sort of bikinis and hot tubs”
Syeda Irtizaali's push for Scotland
Syeda Irtizaali pushed for a Scottish setting to give The Traitors its identity.
“I said, no, we have to make it in the UK. Can we make it in Scotland? Because it's great with castles”
Claudia Winkleman's role
Claudia Winkleman, known for Strictly Come Dancing, was nervous about appearing too cold on the show.
“Claudia, then best known to viewers as the co-host of Strictly Come Dancing, was really worried about appearing too cold”
Early series drama
The first series sent two contestants home at the beginning to signal it was a different show.
“We sent two people home at the beginning to signal it was a different show”
Richard E Grant's blunder
Richard E Grant admitted he was a Traitor to other contestants, believing it was a joke.
“Richard E Grant, 69, spectacularly exposed his own secret identity just moments after being chosen as a Traitor”
Syeda Irtizaali's view on chaos
Syeda Irtizaali said The Traitors handles chaos better than most shows.
“What is so brilliant about that show is that it can handle anything”
More chaos to come
Syeda Irtizaali hinted at even greater chaos unfolding during filming this year.
“By the way, that's not even the biggest chaos that happens this year”
The essence
BBC's entertainment executive Syeda Irtizaali defended using 'murder' and 'kill' in The Traitors despite BBC policy advisers' push to avoid the terms.
