Romesh Ranganathan has been handed a crushing blow hours before the latest episode of The Celebrity Traitors, with bookmakers making him the clear favourite to be the next celebrity eliminated.
The BBC's star-studded version of the competitive reality programme returns tonight, with viewers anxious to discover who will be removed next. The development follows the previous episode's cliffhanger, which saw several contestants compelled to participate in a lethal game of hide and seek.
Traitors choose four Faithfuls for deadly game
The remaining Traitors - Love Island presenter Maya Jama, comedian James Acaster and mathematician Professor Hannah Fry - summoned the celebrities to take part under cover of darkness. Presenter Claudia Winkleman informed them they must select four potential targets who would be required to conceal themselves in the woodland that evening. The Traitors would then attempt to locate one of them and eliminate them in person.
While they had the choice of selecting one of their own, they instead chose four Faithfuls - including Romesh Ranganathan alongside regular collaborator and fellow comedian Rob Beckett, plus singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock and actor Ross Kemp.
Key protects one target
What remains unknown to the Traitors, however, is that the selected group received one key to safeguard their concealment spot. Following discussion amongst themselves, the key was entrusted to Little Mix star Leigh-Anne.
According to the latest odds from Action Network, Romesh appears to be most at risk and could become the next victim. He stands as the 4/7 favourite to be selected for murder, with Rob following at 7/3.
Hannah Fry favourite for banishment
Meanwhile, amid growing speculation surrounding her true allegiance, Hannah Fry has emerged as the "overwhelming favourite" to face banishment at the upcoming Round Table. She sits at 3/7 to receive the highest number of votes in the next elimination. James Blunt trails closely behind as certain doubts have emerged regarding his proposed theories during group discussions. He stands at 3/1 for banishment, ahead of Jerry Hall at 17/3.
Welsh actor Michael Sheen has actually seen his odds shortened for becoming the ultimate champion. Though with three Traitors remaining in the competition, two of them - James Acaster and Maya Jama - also feature amongst the top three favourites for victory. This comes as little surprise given the minimal suspicion directed towards them.
A spokesperson for Action Network said: "Romesh Ranganathan is the favourite to become the next victim of the Traitors at odds of 4/7, with the traitors perceiving him as one of the leading faithful voices around the round table, making him a smart one to remove."
They continued: "Rob Beckett follows at odds of 7/3 to get murdered, seen as a random choice that could send the faithful spiralling. Ross Kemp is considered less likely to get murdered, with the Traitors counting on the suspicion already following him to keep building. Leigh-Anne Pinnock, whose late-night make-up touch-up may still be fresh in people's minds, is the least likely to get murdered - though if the traitors do choose her, there will be no murder, as she was handed the key and is therefore protected during the hide and seek."
The Celebrity Traitors continues tonight at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
