The second series of Celebrity Traitors has already included Richard E. Grant revealing himself as a traitor and a paranoid Ross Kemp accusing Game of Thrones star Bella Ramsey of murdering him.

But viewers quickly fell for another castle resident - Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh.

In the opening minutes of Thursday's episode of the flagship BBC show, the soap star endeared herself to viewers and her co-stars with her starstruck manners.

Julie, 56, was seen enthusiastically greeting celebs as they walked into the estate chapel in the opening scene. 

After shaking singer James Blunt's hand, Julie hurried over to actress Myha'la, telling her: 'It's lovely to meet you. I'm such a big fan Myha'la. I've watched all of Industry.'

She also got up to shake the hand of Oscar-nominated actor Richard E. Grant.

Julie admitted 'I do get a little bit starstruck and I do get a little bit hungry for friendship with people that I know off the telly so I'm hoping that I can really, really pull that bit of myself back.'

Fans were delighted with her fangirling though as one viewer wrote on X: 'Julie Hesmondhalgh looking like she's just delighted to have been invited to the castle is already one of my favourite things about this series'.

'Few mins in to the Traitors and I'm loving Julie, going to the people she loves the most from the telly! this will be a great series!' agreed another.

Another fan pointed out that the actress has earned her place among the celeb cast, commenting: 'julie hesmondhalgh being starstruck like she isn't literally hayley cropper #traitors.'

In behind the scenes video released by the BBC hours before the first episode aired, Julie was already feeling the pressure of the game, as she lamented to camera that she felt 'quite challenged by this packing task.'  

'It's about eleven hours before I get picked up to start the journey to the iconic castle,' she sighed, explaining that she was overwhelmed by the sheer array of outfits she would need for the show.

'I already feel quite challenged by this packing task. There are so many different elements. The running around, exercising. The dinner parties. The funerals.'

She made sure there was room for the essentials too, adding: 'I've got some books for down time. I've got a little paint set. Writing pad. HRT bum patches.' 

It's been revealed that the second series launch episode of the show attracted over 9 million viewers on Thursday, the biggest-ever launch for The Traitors in the UK.

Overnight figures show the first episode peaked at just over 9 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.

Celebrity Traitors continues on Friday night at 8pm on BBC One.