Comedian Miranda Hart has said taking part in BBC reality show Celebrity Traitors will be challenging on her body as she continues living with ME. The 53-year-old actress is making her television comeback on one of the most physically and mentally demanding reality programs after years away from the spotlight.
Speaking before entering the Scottish castle where the series is filmed, Hart explained that while she still experiences fatigue and pain caused by her chronic illness, she now feels well enough to step back into work and believed the show was the perfect opportunity.
Hart shared in her 2024 autobiography how her Lyme disease, which developed into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), left her bedbound and without joy. But when offered the spot on the BBC series, she recalled: "I haven't done much TV work for a long time, having only recently come out of long-term ill health issues, and when I was offered this, my whole body sort of relaxed, I smiled, and I just wanted to jump about like a schoolgirl with joy."
Hart explained that she is still living with elements of ME, bringing fatigue and pain that she must manage. "I'm still living with elements of ME, and that brings fatigue and pain to manage, but I have come to a point where I feel well enough to step out, and that's also partly why I'm doing this," she said.
"The joy of mucking about on television again will hopefully outweigh some of the challenges," she continued. "And I think it will be challenging on my body, so it'll be interesting, and it'll take some courage as this is a big next step."
Hart noted that living with a chronic illness is invisible. "When you live with a chronic illness, it's invisible, so people don't know that you're sitting there in pain. But then it reminds you that everybody's got their thing," she explained. "So, I'm also really looking forward to making friends and looking after each other and hopefully they can carry me up a hill or whatever we're going to have to do!"
Medical diagnosis and career background
It took medical professionals 33 years to discover that Hart had been battling Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. Medics had initially mislabelled her symptoms as agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder characterised by symptoms of anxiety in unfamiliar situations. Her condition later developed into ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, a long-term illness that causes debilitating fatigue not improved by rest.
Following her mainstream success with her hit 2009 BBC sitcom Miranda, which cemented her status as a comedy legend, Hart remained largely out of the spotlight in recent years. Her television appearances were limited to guest spots on chat shows and appearances for Comic Relief.
Galloping dares and Highlands arrival
Hart revealed that fans have challenged her to perform her iconic trademark gallop through the castle corridors during filming. "When someone said on Instagram, 'Oh, I hope you gallop in the castle,' I foolishly replied, 'Right, I now take that as a dare.' So that was idiotic of me," she admitted.
"I will have to at some point gallop down a corridor," she added. "I'll gallop when no one's watching... or who would be the best person to encourage to gallop? I don't know. I mean, Kenny probably doesn't even know who I am. So, if I could get him to gallop... I could get a new generation galloping."
Hart was joined in Scotland by her rarely seen husband, Richard Fairs, 60. The couple, who tied the knot in October 2024, landed at Inverness Airport in a private jet ahead of filming.
Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, Celebrity Traitors will see contestants play a game of detection, trust, and betrayal in the Scottish Highlands in the hope of winning a cash prize up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. The series starts on Thursday, October 1 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Full line-up of celebrity contestants
Former fashion icon Jerry Hall, 70, who rose to fame in the 1970s as one of the era's most recognisable models, is among the contestants entering the Scottish castle.
Actor Richard E Grant, 69, celebrated for roles ranging from cult classic Withnail & I to modern films like Everybody's Talking About Jamie, joins the line-up.
Singer James Blunt, 52, who shot to global fame with his debut album and hit single You're Beautiful, is taking part in the competition.
Former EastEnders actor Ross Kemp, 62, who recently returned to the soap to reprise his role as hardman Grant Mitchell, is said to be wanting to challenge himself.
Stage and screen actor Michael Sheen, 57, celebrated for performances in Good Omens and The Queen, is featured in the cast.
Comedian Rob Beckett, 40, known for his high-energy routines and booming laugh, enters the castle alongside his best friend and fellow comedian Romesh Ranganathan.
Actress Sharon Rooney, 37, best known for her breakout role as Rae Earl in the acclaimed series My Mad Fat Diary, joins the contestants.
Comedian Joanne McNally, 43, known for her brutally honest humour and hilarious takes on dating, chaos, and modern life, is taking part.
Journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan, 43, who has carved out a successful career across major UK media including radio and television, joins the cast.
Content creator King Kenny, 29, known for prank videos and street-style social experiments, is participating in the game.
Actor Sebastian Croft, 24, best known for his breakout role as Ben Hope in the Netflix series Heartstopper, completes the gallery of revealed stars.
Also joining the competition is television presenter Maya Jama, 32, who fronts Love Island and has become one of the UK's most popular stars. Comedian Romesh Ranganathan, 48, who has been taking British television by storm in recent years, is known for his deadpan delivery.
Comedian James Acaster, 41, is good friends with Ed Gamble, host of spin-off show The Traitors: Uncloaked, and co-hosts the hit food podcast Off Menu with him. Actor Bella Ramsey, 22, rose to fame as Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones and gained global acclaim for their leading role in The Last Of Us. Singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 34, is known as a member of the girl group Little Mix, who found fame on The X Factor in 2011.
Comedian Joe Lycett, 38, has built a reputation as one of Britain's most inventive comics through television stunts and clever public pranks. Mathematician and broadcaster Professor Hannah Fry, 42, is known for turning complex data into content engaging to viewers. Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, 56, is best known for her long-running role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, the first transgender character in a British soap opera. Actress Myha'la, 30, is known for her striking portrayal of brutal fintech expert Harper Stern in the HBO drama Industry.
