The Traitors will return to screens on New Year’s Day for the third series of the hit reality TV show.

A new first-look teaser clip sees three cloaked figures walking through the castle grounds at night while holding lanterns before a firework explodes in the sky to form the show’s logo.

After “New Year’s Day” is revealed in the sky, host Claudia Winkleman appears on screen to say: “Start the New Year with a bang”.

The series will see a new group of strangers play a game of strategy, suspicion and backstabbing in a bid to win a cash prize of up to £120,000.

Last series, more than eight million people tuned in to watch “traitor” Harry Clark outwit his fellow contestants to win £95,150 in the dramatic finale.

The former British Army engineer took the mega prize pot after he deceived his friend Mollie Pearce into thinking he was a fellow faithful when in reality, he was a traitor.

Series one saw “faithfuls” Meryl, Hannah and Aaron crowned the winners and split the £100,000 prize after “traitor” Wilfred nearly stole the whole jackpot at the last minute.

The UK version of the hit show has gone on to win a host of awards including at the Bafta TV Awards for best reality and constructed factual show, while Winkleman picked up the best entertainment performance prize.

The first two episodes of the new series will air at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer, while the rest will air at 9pm.

New instalments will be released on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.

Comedian Ed Gamble will also return to host the Traitors Uncloaked podcast, which will be available after every episode of the main show on BBC Two and iPlayer, and an extended version with additional guests, further theories and essential analysis will be available on BBC Sounds.

The BBC has said further information about the celebrity edition of the show will be announced in due course.

The Traitors will launch on Wednesday January 1 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.