The countdown is nearly over for the return of the much-loved BBC series, The Traitors, which is due to hit our screens again very soon.

Claudia Winkleman is set to host the show once more as 22 contestants make their way into the Scottish castle, a location recently graced by Alan Carr who emerged victorious in the celebrity edition.

With a whopping £120,000 at stake, the participants will be plunged into a world of lies, deceit and deception in this ultimate reality game of trust and betrayal.

However, this year promises a twist as Claudia hinted in the latest trailer while sporting a pair of red gloves. The colour red seems to be a recurring theme, with another teaser revealing a mysterious figure draped in a red cape, deviating from the usual green.

Before the first episode airs on BBC One at 8pm on New Year's Day, here's a comprehensive list of those participating in the fourth series of The Traitors, reports Wales Online.

Age: 34

Occupation: BuilderLocation: Essex.

When questioned about his decision to apply for The Traitors, he responded: "Because I love a contest. I love the thought of being able to outthink people and I want to win it. That's it, simple. I'll play whatever hand I need to play and that's it."

Age: 57

Occupation: Retired Police DetectiveLocation: Brighton.

On the prospect of being a Traitor, the 57-year-old remarked: "That would be amazing. I would be nervous, definitely nervous. I've thought about how I would control the nerves, when the mask comes off. I think I'll be able to hold my nerve."

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired

Location: Hampshire

When questioned about his lie-detecting abilities, Ben responded: "I think I'm good. When they're telling a story, they always look up to the left or right and cover their mouth. My wife laughs at that but watch anybody telling a lie and they'll suddenly look up to the left, right, or they'll cover their mouth. And I'm not saying that's the same for everybody, but that's the way I would look at it."

Age: 33

Occupation: Psychologist

Location: London

Discussing what she believes she can contribute to the programme, Ellie answered: "I think I might be the first psychologist on the show, so I'm hoping I can bring that psychological perspective. I'm going to be analysing what other contestants are doing and trying to think through what their motivations are for behaving in certain ways."

Age: 22

Occupation: Internal Auditor.

Location: Middlesbrough

Asked whether he has a strategy in mind, the 22-year-old explained: "I've had a chat with my sister about what game plan I should have and I think, once it starts, it'll be all up in the air really! One thing is it's important not to be too boisterous at the start, because you can't win at the start. You can only lose. So, I think just keep some opinions and some cards close to your chest at the beginning and then observe everyone else whilst spreading little nuggets here and there but not making yourself the centre of attention straight away."

Age: 62

Occupation: Local Government Officer

Location: Swansea

Fiona won't be holding her tongue on the programme, revealing: "I'm not afraid to confront or challenge people, but not in a bullying or harassing way. I wouldn't dream of doing that to anybody. I would definitely be somebody that wouldn't be afraid to speak their mind. However, if I am a Faithful I'd be very wary to be as formidable and confrontational. I'd keep it in a bit."

Age: 52

Occupation: Crime Writer and Former Barrister

Location: London

Harriet is eager to take on the role of a Traitor, saying she'd be 'absolutely delighted'. She explained: "It's the closest I'll ever get in real life to plotting murder and the idea that I can live my job feels like it would be an incredible opportunity. Having said that, being a Faithful is also an opportunity to live my job, just in a different kind of a way. So, I win either way, but I think that the truest form of the game is being a Traitor, because then you really do get to do the double play and I think I would find that very exciting. ".

Age: 51

Occupation: Barrister

Location: London (Born in Cardiff)

Discussing his plans for the prize money, Hugo stated: "Whilst the game is enormous camp fun my real motivation to win would be to support a human rights charity that's very dear to my heart which is Amnesty International. They do fantastic work and if ever I get the chance to support them, I do. In fact, I am going to be running the London Marathon later this year for them!"

Age: 29

Occupation: Personal Trainer

Location: Essex

Outlining his strategy for entering the castle, Jack revealed: "I have tactics for everything. Different plays with shields, different players around the roundtable, things to avoid. I think the overarching theme is making people underestimate me and feel like they've worked me out, so that they don't perceive me as the threat. I think in the Missions it's in my nature to help people because of my job. I appreciate sometimes altruistic behaviour can be mistaken as a hidden agenda with Traitors, but I think it'll be quite in keeping with my personality to look like I'm going out of my way to be the team player."

Age: 25

Occupation: PhD StudentLocation: West Midlands

When questioned about how far she's prepared to go to win the game, Jade responded: "It's a game, and I'm here to play the game. I signed up for the game and I'm a gamer by heart. I think everyone there is hiding something to a certain degree or trying to come off as a particular way. You don't really know who these people are, so I am going to go in and be sceptical of everyone."

Age: 38

Occupation: Gardener

Location: Weymouth

James is keen to become a Traitor in the game. When asked what qualities he'd need to reach the final as a Faithful, he responded: "Get recruited as a Traitor. That's my number one priority. Definitely. If that doesn't materialise, I will play a bit dumb, not to the extent that I'm no use but so I'm not deemed to be a threat. I'll try and get friendly with a Traitor to be kept in the game, and then maybe out them at the right time or request recruitment. Give them an ultimatum. I call it reverse seduction.

"I think obviously being astute but not giving away too much would be key. I think being good enough to accuse people early. Being strong in my convictions with who I go for and sticking with it. And trying not to do any bandwagon voting."

Age: 28

Occupation: Hairstylist

Location: Hull

When asked what she'd bring to the competition, Jessie responded: "I feel like people will underestimate me just because of how I am and how I look with my orange hair and because I have a stammer. People might think that I don't have it in in me to be brutal, but I do."

Age: 60

Occupation: Child Liaison Officer

Location: Doncaster

Explaining why she applied to appear on the programme, Judy said: "I applied because I thought I could do this, and it's a great opportunity to do it at my time of life. I just think that the whole experience will be incredible, and I will never, ever experience anything like this again."

Age: 35

Occupation: Creative Director

Location: Edinburgh

Before stepping into the castle, Matthew expressed his eagerness to be selected as a Traitor. He stated: "I feel like being a Traitor may knock me down a peg or two because I think if I'm not a Traitor, I might be getting mouthy. Whereas if I am a Traitor, maybe I can fly under the radar a little bit more than I would if I was a Faithful."

Age: 59

Occupation: Civil Servant

Location: Preston

Before entering the castle, Maz enthused: "I love the programme, so that's a good start. I love the whole essence of The Traitors, from the Missions, to the conversations, to the relationships you make and the game itself."

Age: 42

Job Title: Nursery School Teacher

Location: Glasgow

When questioned about her plans for the prize money, Netty revealed: "Travelling! I've got a seven-year-old, and we live in a tiny little village in Glasgow. She's already seen snippets of the world, but I just want her to see a bit more of that. I love travelling, so anything that means I could go and explore a bit more, I'd love to do."

Age: 42

Occupation: Head of Communications

Location: County Down

Rachel is eager to take on the Traitor role, explaining: "I'd love it. That is my go-to because I love being in control of a game more than anything. Kind of like being a bit of a puppet master. I have a lot of integrity in real life; I work for a charity that helps people. But I would love so much to play in a game where I get to backstab and lie to people's faces, as I don't get to do that any other time."

Age: 27

Occupation: Sweet Shop Assistant

Location: Sheffield

Discussing his approach to the competition, Reece explained: "I'm not shy at being cutthroat. I'm quite what you see is what you get, but obviously very aware that this is a game. If I must remodel my personality to fit what is in front of me at that time, that is what I will do. I'm very competitive and confident, I don't want to go on and change who I am, or anything about me, I want to go on and be successful being me in the game."

Age: 37

Occupation: Sales Exec and Personal Trainer

Location: London

Outlining his strategy, Ross revealed: "I am going to try and hide in plain sight, although just by stature, I'm a big guy and with quite a bassy voice, I don't think that minimising myself is going to work out well! If anything, it'll make me stand out even more. I'll get a good lay of the land and use my good character and charisma, alongside the people skills that I have built up from working with people over the years and then, ideally, try and find a shield."

Age: 32

Occupation: Recruiter

Location: Amsterdam

Discussing her reasons for applying to the show, Roxy stated: "When I watched the first series, it was different to anything I've ever seen before. The first six years of my life were a little rocky, and I think having that lived experience of adapting to different situations, meeting different people, figuring out who to trust, I thought those skills that have come from unfortunate circumstances, would actually take me really far on the show."

Age: 34

Occupation: Account Manager

Location: North Yorkshire

When questioned about what he'll contribute to the game, Sam responded: "Fun! I'm really silly and I like messing around. I like having a joke with people, so I'm hoping I can also bring good spirits when it gets quite intense. I'm also quite physically fit so I hope I can help the team out in Missions."

Age: 32

Occupation: Cyber Security Consultant

Location: London

Explaining why he applied, Stephen said: "It's one of those games that you can't watch without putting yourself in it. There are certain shows where you're screaming at the TV with every single decision that's made, thinking why have you done that? Or why have you said that? Or I could do better than that. I genuinely love this game. Maybe I've got a bit of a delusional kind of a sense that I can do really well in this."

The Traitors series 4 premieres Thursday, 1st January at 8pm on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer.