The Traitors has come under fire for failing to employ enough local Scottish talent, despite the fact the reality show films in the Highlands.
Ofcom, the independent regulator for the UK’s communications industries, has already hit out at the BBC for failing to meet ‘Made Outside London’ specifications when it comes to the behind-the-scenes crew of The Traitors. The smash series, currently in it’s third season, is produced by London-headquartered Studio Lambert in Scotland – meaning it qualifies as a Scottish commission.
Makers of the show proudly declared that season one of the series, which aired in 2022, had hired 50% of below-the-line talent of people based in Scotland. But this information was later found to have been inaccurate – with Ofcom forcing the BBC to update their records as a consequence.
The truth was uncovered due to spot checks on the show which revealed the original statistics were not accurate. The Traitors was found to be among a number of UK shows that had not recorded their data properly.
Deadline provided an update on the drama this week, reporting: “Following spot checks, two BBC titles and one Channel 5 title were found to have contained reporting errors” – one of which the outlet confirmed was The Traitors. After claiming that 50% of crew had been local hires, more accurate data reportedly revealed that “over 80%” were actually based outside Scotland.
An Ofcom spokesperson told the Mirror on Wednesday: “As a crucial means of supporting TV production in the nations and regions, we take broadcasters’ compliance with our Made Outside London regulations very seriously. We regularly engage with the BBC and other broadcasters to monitor how they are fulfilling their requirements, including carrying out spot checks into particular programmes.” The Mirror has reached out to the BBC for comment.
The Traitors has been a huge hit for the BBC and sees members of the public competing for a cash prize while trying to avoid being taken out in a ‘murder-mystery’ style. Host Claudia has been at the forefront of the series since it began – winning adulation from fans as she skilfully guides the faithfuls and the traitors through various tasks while stealing attention herself for her eye-catching Scottish highlands wardrobe.
Earlier this month, Claudia told Grazia magazine that she was pinching herself over the success of the BBC show. She gushed: “We didn’t foresee this. We went to Scotland with the amazing people who make it and a pair of red fingerless gloves and gave it our best shot. I think people like it because the psychology is extraordinary – just watching people work out whether they’re being lied to. The dynamics feel addictive. I’m completely obsessed.”
Despite being the host, she explained she has not noticed a sure-fire way to win the show. She said: “I don’t think there’s a formula. I wish there were. Although, actually, I’m really pleased there isn’t, because then people would know how to win. I do think the power of persuasion is everything. I also think you have to have a lot of empathy.”
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