Celebrity Traitors makes list of most unifying moments of last 25 years

Celebrity Traitors makes list of most unifying moments of last 25 years Celebrity Traitors has been listed among the top 20 unifying moments of last 25 years - alongside sporting celebrations and Royal weddings With Celebrity Traitors returning to our screens next month (October 1), new research suggests the hit BBC show has become one of Britain’s biggest shared talking points. A poll of 2,000 adults ranked Alan Carr’s 2025 victory among the most 'unifying' cultural moments of the past 25 years — alongside events such as the solar eclipse and the Eurovision song contest. The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was the single most nation-uniting moment, but sporting and television moments featured heavily throughout the top 20. These included the Lionesses' Euro triumph in 2025 and Queen Elizabeth's iconic sketch at Buckingham Palace alongside Paddington Bear during the platinum jubilee celebrations. It also featured the Gavin and Stacey finale in 2024, Susan Boyle's unforgettable Britain's Got Talent audition back in 2009, and Alan Carr's Traitors victory in 2025. The research was commissioned by National Rail ahead of the forthcoming return of Celebrity Traitors, one of the most talked-about shows in recent memory. Last year's series had the nation gripped, with more than 15 million viewers tuning in to watch Alan Carr's victory — making it the UK's most watched programme of 2025. The study revealed that when Brits miss major cultural events such as the Traitors finale, 20% said they watched or streamed it at the earliest opportunity, while 13% admitted to experiencing a fear of missing out (FOMO). Over 11% confess to catching up on significant TV moments while on the go, and 17% have streamed missed programmes during a train journey. Dan Mann, co-CEO for Rail Delivery Group on behalf of National Rail, said: "From the latest Celebrity Traitors twists to major sporting moments and sell-out concerts, these events help bring the nation together. "Our research shows just how important it is for people to stay connected to these shared experiences, whether that's watching live, trying to avoid spoilers, travelling to an event or sharing reactions with friends and family. "Train journeys give people the time and space to catch up on what they've missed and stay part of the conversation." The findings also revealed that communal cultural moments leave a lasting impression, with 44% stating they continue discussing major events for weeks following them. Meanwhile, 41% of adults believe these cultural happenings generated excitement throughout the nation, while 45% reported feeling patriotic as a result. Amongst the occasions adults regret missing in person, 51% wish they'd been at Wimbledon for Andy Murray's historic 2013 triumph, while 14% were disappointed they weren't in the stadium for Super Saturday at the 2012 Olympics. However, 40% indicated that witnessing these events as they unfolded, whether live or on television, allowed them to share the emotions with everyone else, while 35% said it fostered a feeling of national unity. The study, conducted through OnePoll.com, also spotlighted the part rail travel plays in these collective experiences, with 27% opting to journey by train to attend live events. Amongst those passengers, the atmosphere (45%), speaking to strangers (42%) and having a chat with their travel companions (41%) were highlighted as the most memorable aspects of the journey. Dan Mann, for Rail Delivery Group, added: "Rail connects people not just to destinations, but to the stories, experiences and cultural moments that create a shared sense of connection across Britain. "It's great to see people using train journeys to catch-up on what everyone is talking about, enjoy the build-up to a big event and share reactions with friends and family along the way. "Whether travelling to a concert, heading home after a sporting fixture or catching up on the latest episode, rail journeys help people feel part of the moments that bring the nation together." TOP 20 UNIFYING MOMENTS OF THIS CENTURY: - The Queen's funeral (2022) - London Olympics opening ceremony (2012) - Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (2011) - King Charles' coronation (2023) - England vs Argentina World Cup semi-final (2026) - Lionesses winning the Euros (2025) - 'Clap for carers' initiative (2020) - The sketch of Paddington and the Queen (2022) - England men's football team reaching the Euros final (2021) - Platinum Jubilee celebrations (2022) - England vs Mexico World Cup quarter-final (2026) - Andy Murray's first Wimbledon win (2013) - Super Saturday at London Olympics (2012) - The August 2026 solar eclipse (2026) - Gavin and Stacey finale Christmas special (2024) - Susan Boyle's Britain's Got Talent audition (2009) - Oasis reunion tour (2025) - Alan Carr Winning Celebrity Traitors (2025) - Eurovision song contest being held in the UK (Liverpool, 2023) - Leicester City winning the Premier League (2016)