The new series of hit show The Traitors has reportedly been thrown into chaos after the BBC was inundated with 300,000 requests.
Nearly 7 million viewers watched the season two finale in January and now producers are said to be racing against time as they try to narrow down just 22 hopefuls in time for filming, which will begin in a matter of months.
A source said Sun: “(Filming) has to start in spring because during the summer months the daylight hours in the far north of Scotland are too long.”
“Which is a big deal because, as anyone who’s seen the show will know, a lot of it has to take place at night.
“So if they miss the opportunity to film, that causes problems.”
The new series of hit show The Traitors has reportedly been thrown into chaos after the BBC was inundated with 300,000 requests (pictured presenter Claudia Winkleman).
Nearly 7 million viewers watched the season two finale in January and now producers are said to be racing against time as they narrow down to just 22 hopefuls in time for filming, which will begin in a matter of months (pictured, the winner of the second season, Harry Clark). )
Before going on to say how excited the producers were that so many hopefuls applied to appear on the show.
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.
It comes after Courteney Cox was reportedly lined up as the first signing for a celebrity version of The Traitors.
The actress, 59, is good friends with the show’s host, Claudia Winkleman, 52, and said bosses hope their friendship will convince Courteney to sign up.
American star Courteney was known around the world for playing Monica Geller in the hit sitcom Friends from 1994 to 2004.
Insiders have claimed that producers hope to be able to choose from several big stars who are fans of the reality show following the success of the first two series, which featured previously unknown contestants.
MailOnline has contacted the BBC and a representative for Courteney for comment.
Claudia and Courteney have been friends for years and were photographed enjoying lunch together in London last month.
A source said: “(Filming) has to start in spring because during the summer months the daylight hours in the far north of Scotland are too long.”
Before adding: “Which is a big deal because, as anyone who’s seen the show will know, a lot of it has to take place at night.”
They were joined by Johnny McDaid, Courteney’s longtime boyfriend Snow Patrol, and Claudia’s husband Kris Thykier, a film producer.
Last year, Courteney even helped Claudia with a BBC promotional video for the show in which they were soliciting applications for the show’s second season.
In the video, Claudia appeared alongside a hooded figure as she made the announcement.
She said: ‘I have some news. Series 2 of Traitors is approaching, would you like to participate? Simply visit the BBC’s Get Involved page and we might see you at the castle.
Courteney Cox is reportedly being lined up as the first signing for a celebrity version of The Traitors (Courtney, left, pictured with The Traitors host and friend Claudia Winkleman).
