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Celebrity Traitors finalists reportedly leaked to a star's friend, The Sun says

The Sun reports that a friend of one Celebrity Traitors player claims to know who reaches the final, and that BBC bosses are worried. The Express and Mail relay the report. The BBC had not commented when they published, and the claim is unverified.

2 outlets · 0L · 0C · 2R First reported Account updated
Image: Daily Express
Image: Daily Mail

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The story, neutrally told

Right · 2The Daily Express and Daily Mail report that the finalists of the BBC's Celebrity Traitors have reportedly been leaked, after a star's friend claimed to know who made the final. Right · 2Both outlets rely on The Sun, which quoted a source saying the leak had made the identity of the finalists "a hot topic at showbiz parties". Right · 2The source also said another person has been suggesting who has been placed for interviews around the final. It is described as vital that the information does not reach gossip forums or social media, where fans could find it.

Right · 2The reports say BBC bosses are panicking. The BBC is said to be hoping that anyone who hears the information will stay quiet. Right · 2The Mail adds the source's view that a small group knows the show's secrets, including staff, the celebrities who reached the end and possibly their close family and friends. Both papers said they had contacted the BBC for comment, and neither reported a response. Right · 2Players signed non-disclosure agreements before filming, which the Mail says took place at Ardross Castle. Ross Kemp called his NDA "longer than the Bayeux Tapestry".

Right · 2Faithful Joe Lycett said he ignored the NDA's secrecy rule and told everyone he was doing the show. Fellow Faithful Joanne McNally said on her podcast that she knows who wins. Right · 2The reports come after 9.6 million viewers watched Friday's episode (9 October). In it, actor Julie Hesmondhalgh was banished at the round table and Bella Ramsey had been murdered in the previous cliffhanger. Right · 1The Express notes that the first celebrity series was briefly uploaded a day early on Canada's Crave streaming service. It says this did not hurt UK ratings, with more than 11 million watching Alan Carr win. It says this year's final is due at the end of October.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right2 outlets

Framing
Both tabloids present the story as showbiz gossip, led by the word "chaos" and relayed from The Sun's anonymous source. Neither independently verifies the leak, and neither names the friend or the finalists.
Emphasis
BBC panic, the strength of the NDAs, cast members' loose lips (Lycett, McNally), and the 9.6 million viewing figure. The Express adds the Crave early-upload precedent and fan reaction to Claudia Winkleman. The Mail adds recaps of Friday's banishment and reactions.
Leaves out or plays down
Neither confirms the leak or the identity of the leaker, and neither has a BBC response. The Mail's headline says 'finalists are leaked', while the text says the leak is 'reported' or 'said'.
Charged language
“thrown into chaos”“bombshell revelation”“in chaos”“desperate to keep the secret under wraps”
For example
“Celebrity Traitors thrown into chaos as BBC finalists leaked in bombshell revelation” — Daily Express
“Celebrity Traitors is said to be in chaos” — Daily Mail