Michael Buerk reveals he would sign up for celebrity version of The Traitors after turning down another popular BBC show

The Traitors is reportedly being lined-up for a celebrity spin-off version of the show following the success of the first two series.

And veteran broadcaster Michael Buerk, who worked on the news on BBC1 from 1976 to 2003, has revealed he would sign up for the popular series.

Speaking about the reality TV show, the former newsreader, 77, told The Mirror: ‘If you survive 50 years at the BBC, you can stab people in the front.’

Michael, who currently hosts Radio 4’s The Moral Maze, added: ‘I do think it will fit my skillset, being treacherous.’

He went on reveal he has turned down several offers to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, unlike his fellow broadcaster pals Angela Rippon and John Sergeant.

Michael Buerk has revealed he would sign up for the celebrity version of The Traitors after turning down another popular BBC show

The Traitors is reportedly being lined-up for a celebrity spin-off version of the show following the success of the first two series

Michael said: ‘I am the only one who hasn’t done it. I have been asked four, five times maybe. But I can’t dance. There is an element of humiliation there but I can handle that.

‘The small problem is that there is a strategy about these things and I kind of think the only role I could play is the bumbling, knob-footed idiot. It has been done. John Sergeant did it.’

The Traitors is reportedly being lined-up for a celebrity spin-off version of the show following the success of the first two series.

Insiders have claimed producers are hoping to have the choice of a number of big stars who are themselves fans of the reality programme.

After the second season recently ended, names producers are likely to be eyeing are led by Wagatha Christie rivals Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy.

Others on the potential roster are said to be former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who finished third in 2022’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, and Match of the Day host and former footballer Gary Lineker.

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Bosses want big names as the show is getting big viewing figures, and they know they’ll have plenty to choose from as The Traitors has huge fans within the showbiz world…

‘But they also want stars who are likely to be great game-players and who have great survival skills, the ability to double-cross or a way of sniffing out a back-stabber.

‘Rumours of a celebrity series have naturally swirled since The Traitors launched in 2022 and the show became an instant hit — but they have been unfounded ­gossip until now.’

The insider added that BBC bosses wanted the civilian version of the show to become well established before they started work on planing out a celebrity version.

It is claimed producers are hoping to have the choice some big stars who are fans of the reality show, including Wagatha Christie rivals Coleen Rooney (left) and Rebekah Vardy (right) (pictured during the trial in May 2022)

Claudia has also said she would love This Morning host Alison Hammond to appear on a celebrity version of The Traitors (Alison pictured on This Morning earlier this month)

However, the first two series have proved such successes that telly bigwigs have apparently decided to push on with the celebrity spin-off.

‘They’re shooting for the stars too,’ the insider added. ‘Because they don’t see why they can’t attract the same calibre of people that currently sign up for Strictly and I’m A Celebrity.’

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.

The Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman has previously said she hoped some big names would appear on a celebrity version of the show.

Naming some people she would like to see appear, she said: ‘Victoria Coren, Kirsty Young, Adam Woodyatt, Stephen Fry, Alison Hammond… let’s do that.’