Claudia Winkleman couldn't hide the smile on her face as she enjoyed a solo shopping trip after the return of Celebrity Traitors pulled in its highest ratings yet.

The presenter stepped out in north London after the BBC hit's new series got off to a roaring start, thanks to an epic blunder by Richard E Grant and a huge twist.

Overnight figures show the first episode peaked at just over nine million and averaged 8.9 million viewers.

The number surpasses all previous premieres, including the first celebrity version, which attracted 6.5 million peak viewers, averaging 6.1 million across the episode.

The last civilian series opener in January garnered 6.9 million peak viewers and averaged 6.4 million views.

The total audience is expected to soar even higher in the coming days, with viewers who streamed the show on iPlayer yet to be counted.

The Daily Mail's critic Christopher Stevens agreed that Traitors fever is already gripping the nation. You can read his five-star review here. 

Claudia's success in the Traitors castle is in contrast to her Strictly Come Dancing successor Emma Willis, with the show suffering a ratings slump after unveiling their new hosting lineup.

Emma looked downcast as she stepped out in London, after viewers took to social media on Saturday to share they were still unconvinced by the move to sign her, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe as the new presenters.

The Traitors' celebrity version has proven to be more popular than ever, as the second series launch episode attracted over nine million viewers on Thursday, the biggest-ever launch for The Traitors in the UK.

The BBC hit sees players secretly divided into Faithfuls and Traitors.

The Faithfuls have to try to root out the Traitors before they're murdered one by one, while the Traitors attempt to manipulate their way to the end without being caught.

Millions tuned in to watch Claudia Winkleman, 54, choose this year's traitors. The presenter selected Love Island host Maya Jama and actor Richard E. Grant.

Producers introduced a new twist to shake up the programme's format by telling the duo to choose a third Traitor.

Only it wasn't that simple; Richard and Maya were instead told to select two of their co-stars at Ardross Castle and make them plead to join their trio.

Only the other would be banished. So, former Radio 4 host Amol Rajan and comedian James Acaster were forced to lie in coffins. And in what will surely be one of the show's most memorable cliffhangers, viewers – along with Amol and James – were forced to wait for host Claudia to reveal who would stay.

'It is you, me, and two coffins. That's not great, is it?' James quipped.

Richard and Maya were then given the power to choose either Amol or James to join them as the third Traitor, while the other will be murdered.

Claudia explained: 'To survive, you will have to convince them that you are the best recruit.

'It is literally a decision of life and death.'

James, 41, who wanted to be a Faithful, said with a shaky voice: 'I think currently everyone is convinced I'm a Faithful. I've been pushing your name [points to Grant]. I'm pretty confident I'm the right decision.'