Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman has admitted she was originally opposed to the concept of featuring celebrities on The Traitors.

Viewers are excitedly awaiting the debut episode of the celebrity edition of the popular BBC programme, which broadcasts next week.

However, TV star Claudia confessed that she harboured some early doubts about altering the format of the beloved television series.

"I was scared," she said. "Only because I'm in love with this show and I wanted to keep it small. Once a year or maybe once every two years felt like enough."

"My bosses, thank goodness, ignored everything I said," she added.

A total of 19 high profile stars were eventually enlisted for The Celebrity Traitors, with each competing to win £100,000 for their chosen charity, reports the Mirror.

Claudia acknowledged that presenting the celebrity edition proved more demanding than normal.

"It was scarier, because all I wanted to do was chat to them and make them like me," she said.

"But of course, I have to be extremely unlikeable. It was tricky!"

When she witnessed the stars keen to take part as either a Traitor or a Faithful, the host realised the programme was a brilliant concept.

She was especially impressed working alongside Stephen Fry and comedian Joe Wilkinson.

"When I spoke to Stephen Fry I nearly became emotional," the presenter revealed. "I told him this was my dream. I could barely breathe when I saw them all in the Highlands. I'm such a fan of every single one of them. The whole team were just in awe, it was hard not to scream, 'You're here!'"

The television personality revealed that the most difficult aspect of the celebrity edition was "being strict" with the famous contestants, who also feature Alan Carr, Kate Garraway, Joe Marler, Mark Bonnar and Tameka Empson.

Additional stars participating in the programme include Jonathan Ross, Charlotte Church, Ruth Codd, Paloma Faith, Celia Imrie, Niko Omilana and Nick Mohammed.

Lucy Beaumont, Cat Burns, Clare Balding, David Olusog and Tom Daley are also making their way to the fortress to test their fortune in the contest.

The Celebrity Traitors launches on Wednesday October 8 at 9pm on BBC One.