Celebrity Traitors bosses are reported to be in talks to hire soap legend Danny Dyer for the upcoming star-studded series.
Producers of the reality show are said to be desperate to land the EastEnders star – but he has a way of turning down such gigs.
Danny, 47, has repeatedly said no to reality shows including ITV’s I’m A Celebrity and BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
But bosses at Claudia Winkleman’s iconic series, which will film a celebrity version in the spring, are hoping to get Danny to sign on the dotted line.
A source said the sun: ‘Danny Dyer is a reality TV booker’s dream signing, but for years he has rejected all offers.
“He’s a huge character who creates TV magic effortlessly, without even trying, which is why the Traitors bosses have been chasing Danny with all their might.
Celebrity Traitors bosses are reported to be in talks to hire soap legend Danny Dyer for the upcoming star-studded series.
The reality show’s producers are said to be desperate to land the EastEnders star – but he has a way of turning down such gigs.
“They’re doing everything they can to close the deal.”
If Danny said yes, he’d just cast the already confirmed star-studded cast of national treasures, including Stephen Fry, Clare Balding and Olympic diving champion Tom Daley.
Speaking about his feelings towards reality TV, Danny recently said on I’m A Celeb: “I understand why some people do it, because they need their profile raised, or because some have a big tax bill.”
“But I’ve never quite understood why I’d want to let Ant and Dec beat the crap out of me for three fucking weeks.”
When the long-awaited celebrity version of The Traitors films in the New Year, the show will not feature any reality TV stars, despite the persistence of their agents.
The Mail on Sunday reported earlier this month that the show was inundated with requests to include lesser-known names from shows such as The Only Way Is Essex and Love Island.
An industry source said the phones had been “ringing off the hook” with agents trying to get their D-list clients a prime seat on the famed Traitors Roundtable, and the prime-time exposure and publicity it brought. I would guarantee them.
But only genuine celebrities and genuine, well-known names will make the cut.
Danny, 47, has repeatedly said no to reality shows including ITV’s I’m A Celebrity and BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
But bosses at Claudia Winkleman’s iconic series, which will film a celebrity version in the spring, are hoping to get Danny to sign on the dotted line.
Speaking about his feelings towards reality TV, Danny recently said on I’m A Celeb: “I understand why some people do it, because they need their profile raised, or because some have a big tax bill.”
The source said: “The team behind The Traitors have never seen anything like it. Since the celebrity series was announced in the summer, the phones have been ringing off the hook with agents desperate to pitch their talent for the show.
“But it has been made clear that they only want household names and are not looking for the usual fodder of the reality TV circuit.”
The show, filmed at the atmospheric Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands and hosted by Claudia Winkleman, splits the cast into Faithful and a small handful of Traitors.
The Traitors must plot to eliminate the Faithful by “killing” one each night, unidentified, for a cash prize.
The second series, which aired last January, attracted four million viewers a night.
They saw British Army Engineer Harry Clark, one of the Traitors, successfully deceive his fellow contestants and walk away with the full prize of £95,150.
The show, which is filmed at the atmospheric Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, is presented by Claudia Winkleman and divides the cast into Faithful and a small handful of Traitors.
The Mail on Sunday understands the show has already confirmed a star-studded cast of national treasures, including Stephen Fry.
Only genuine celebrities and genuine, household names, like Jennifer Saunders, will make the cut.
The third series launches early next year. The celebrity edition was announced in the summer, and Winkleman was carefully involved in the casting decisions.
A source said: ‘Claudia absolutely loves Los Traidores. He is passionate about the celebrity version and wants the best cast possible.
The American version of the show, hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming, contained a mix of reality TV contestants and ordinary people. The BBC said it will broadcast the celebrity version of The Traitors next year.
A spokesperson said of the casting: “The Traitors is a game that involves lies and deceit, so it would be foolhardy for any Faithful to speculate before the game has even begun.”