The collective cultural moment of the year happened in October, during the final episode of The Celebrity Traitors. It involved a rugby player, a stand-up comedian/actor, a historian and a TV personality – a pop singer having just been jettisoned. As Claudia Winkleman looked on and somehow kept her face in neutral, Nick Mohammed performed an abrupt volte face, turning on his co-conspirator Joe Marler rather than follow through on their plan to banish Alan Carr from Ardross Castle.
In that high-pressure moment of overthinking, as Mohammed handed victory to Carr, more than 11 million of us were glued to our screens, watching live. A further four million watched by the end of the week (well played if any of you avoided spoilers). On average, almost one in three adults in the UK watched each episode. The Celebrity Traitors audience that week peaked just shy of the 16.2 million (across both ITV and BBC One) for England’s victory in the Women’s Euro 2025 final in July. This was a triumph for terrestrial broadcasting in the age of streaming.
In this week’s issue, our senior arts correspondent Adrian Lobb reports on how a reality TV show brought a fractured nation together in a year of anger and flux. Plus, Celebrity Traitors star Nick Mohammed on the moment we all held our breath.
What else is in this week’s Big Issue?
An exclusive new Christmas tale from Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
Just over 36 years ago, Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury created a publishing sensation. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt became an instant children’s classic and essential reading for a generation. It sold more than 14 million copies. This year, the pair reunited to deliver a sequel, Oh Dear, Look What I Got!. To mark their return, they have come up with an exclusive for Big Issue. Rosen has written a wonderful seasonal tale, and Oxenbury has drawn an evocative illustration to carry alongside.
When Sara Cox swapped DJ decks for trainers
Superstar DJ Sara Cox, more normally in a warm studio broadcasting to 4.5 million drive-time listeners on BBC Radio 2, has just completed her epic 135-mile Great Northern Marathon Challenge. She ran five marathons in five days, raising a staggering £11.5 million for Children in Need. She told us all about it.
The refugees embracing British festive traditions
Despite Shabana Mahmood’s draconian asylum overhaul, and a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, these people who sought safety in Britain remain hopeful. They are determined to enjoy Christmas here… especially if it includes cracker jokes and Mariah on repeat.
