The “Big Dog Theory” was a piece of gameplay logic proposed by ex-rugby union star Joe Marler during roundtable discussions last year.
His reasoning was that one of the most famous contestants, AKA the big dogs, would have been chosen as a traitor to cause mass confusion (and, presumably, strong viewing figures).
Marler wondered out loud whether the big dog traitor in question was Sir Stephen Fry (no) or Jonathan Ross (yes).
For the new series, a glut of huge names and personalities from across the worlds of film, TV, music, modelling and broadcasting have also been selected.
Michael Sheen, the award-winning Welsh actor and campaigner, is perhaps the biggest dog in the fight, so will come under real scrutiny.
Sheen, 57, is acclaimed for his ability to convincingly portray a range of different personalities on screen, from Tony Blair to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor via Brian Clough.
But in real life, he’s seen more as a loveable golden retriever than a Rottweiler, despite his success. Which version of him we shall see on the show remains to be seen.
Fellow big screen charmer Richard E. Grant, 69, who starred in films such as Withnail and I, may also leave some of the less well-known celebrities star-struck at first, as might American-British supermodel/actress Jerry Hall.
Hall, 70, shares four children with ex-partner Mick Jagger and has also been married to media mogul Rupert Murdoch.
Love Island presenter Maya Jama, 32, and University Challenge host, journalist and YouTuber Amol Rajan are also powerhouses in the world of broadcasting.
Speaking ahead of the show, 43-year-old Rajan, who is in it to win it, said : “I don’t want to go in there and at round table number one be Mr Forensic Investigator!
“However, I do interview politicians for a living, and I really have to pursue answers to questions.”
He’s conscious of putting “a target” on his back too soon, so plans to form alliances.
“To begin with, I want to try and make friends and keep my head down,” he added.
EastEnders hardman turned hard-hitting documentarian Ross Kemp, 62, might prove popular once the tasks get physical.
And we don’t know yet whether to expect the soppy You’re Beautiful balladeer James Blunt, 52, or the prolific (and hilarious) online troll of the same name.
Either way, if the Big Dog Theory holds true, then one of the above will surely find themselves in the traitors’ turret before long.
