Winkleman also joked about the headline-making outfits she often wears on the show, including the boots she uses to do the ominous walk at the roundtable as she’s selecting the traitors.
“The walk round the table is very tense,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many times I walk around it, but I really try and build the tension, which is hideously mean but also quite addictive.
“I try and wear clompy footwear to add to it. I get a bit flamenco. It needs to be incredibly loud. I’m thinking of going tap next time.”
Unlike previous series, which have seen a surprise twist or mission before the contestants even reach Ardross Castle near Inverness, Winkleman revealed that this year’s crop do all make it through the door.
As usual, the show’s opening episode sees the contestants get to know each other before taking part in their first mission, which is on a scale rarely seen on the show before.
Winkleman said the Scottish Highlands “might be the most beautiful place on the planet”. Perhaps her biggest pleasure, however, is filming the traditional opening sequence with the owl who acts as her assistant and delivers the invitations.
“I love that little owl. Isn’t he sweet?” she smiled. “He’s called Sage, although I renamed him Barry after my dad.
“And just recently he fathered a baby owl and they named him Onion,” she laughed. “So you will see Onion in future series, I hope.”
The Traitors airs on BBC One and iPlayer at 20:00 GMT on 1 January.
