Cliff Notes – Harry Potter star turns down Celebrity Traitors after never watching show

Miriam Margolyes, known for her role as Professor Pomona Sprout in the Harry Potter films, declined an offer to participate in The Celebrity Traitors, stating she “can’t think of anything she’d rather less do.”
The 84-year-old actress revealed at the Cheltenham Festival that she has never watched the show and has no intention of doing so, despite fans expressing interest in her participation.
Margolyes is currently promoting her new book, The Little Book Of Miriam, which features anecdotes and reflections from her life, while acknowledging the appeal of the current cast of the show.

Harry Potter star turns down Celebrity Traitors after ‘never watching’ show

Miriam Margolyes played Professor Pomona Sprout in the Harry Potter films (Picture: Warner Bros)

Much to some fans’ disappointment, Miriam Margolyes has said she ‘can’t think of anything she’d rather less do’ than The Celebrity Traitors.

In fact, the Harry Potter star has claimed she turned down the opportunity to appear on the BBC show.

Speaking at Cheltenham Festival, the 84-year-old actress said: ‘I was offered this job. No. Just recently and I can’t think of anything I’d rather less do.

‘I’m not into that. I’ve never watched it, I don’t intend to watch it.’

Margolyes, who played Professor Pomona Sprout in the Harry Potter films is an internet favourite, and had been mentioned by fans in their ‘dream cast’ line-ups.

On TikTok, @joeefoster said: ‘I think she’s probably one of the funniest women to ever live, and I think she’d absolutely relish at the chance to go into the Scottish highlands.’

Miriam Margolyes revealed she’d never watched the show (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

The actress was promoting her new book at Cheltenham Literature Festival (Picture: 2025 David Levenson)

@reeceweath96 in the comments agreed, listing Margolyes in his ‘wishlist’ for the show.

Another user on the platform, @catcrx, said in a TikTok: ‘Sorry but imagine this diva as a traitor’.

Unfortunately for them, Margolyes appears to be a hard no. She added: ‘You won’t get me on it.’

Speaking about the current cast, Margolyes said: ‘There is some jolly good people doing it.

‘And if they want to do it for money, well, that’s fair enough.’

The current cast includes names like Alan Carr, Celia Imrie, Jonathan Ross, Stephen Fry, Cat Burns, David Olusoga, and Charlotte Church.

Claudia Winkleman is hosting the celebrity version after the original series which proved popular (Picture: BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)

The Celebrity Traitors features stars like comedian Alan Carr and actor Stephen Fry (Picture: BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)

Claudia Winkleman is hosting The Celebrity Traitors after presenting the original version, which proved to be a hit after airing in 2022.

Contestants try to banish the murdering traitors from the group, and complete team challenges to win money, which goes towards a prize pot.

While the prize money will go to charities of the celebrities’ choices, journalist Marina Hyde revealed on The Rest is Entertainment that the famous faces were being paid a ‘blanket 40k fee’.

At the time, the BBC and Studio Lambert declined to comment when contacted by Metro.

Margolyes was promoting her latest book, The Little Book Of Miriam, at the literature festival. It’s an anthology of ‘unfiltered stories’ and a ‘memory palace of Miriam’s extraordinary life’s standout moments, opinions and conclusions.’