James Acaster has revealed the real reason Julie Hesmondhalgh was banished from Celebrity Traitors, saying it was not shown in the final edit of the show. The actress, known for roles in Broadchurch and Coronation Street, was voted out at the roundtable after a campaign led by singer James Blunt, and had revealed she was a faithful.
What the edit missed
Acaster, a reluctant traitor, told The Times that Blunt's on-screen reason was that Hesmondhalgh was given the first shield. In reality, when the traitors' pick was made, Blunt told Hesmondhalgh who he thought was acting suspiciously around the table.
Acaster spoke to Hesmondhalgh afterwards, suggesting that at that stage, before traitors knew each other, they would not share theories to avoid incriminating an ally. He advised noting who was not forthcoming.
How the theory backfired
Hesmondhalgh then put this to everyone in the room, including Blunt, saying he was not sharing theories. Acaster said Blunt thought, "Well that's not true, because I just shared mine with you at the table". When Hesmondhalgh was voted out, Blunt presented this as evidence of lying.
Acaster added: "That's why Julie got voted off. Which isn't in the edit. If I was him, I'd be pretty gutted."
Behind the scenes
Acaster also revealed contestants stay in a "Travelodge-level hotel about an hour from the castle in the Scottish Highlands". They cannot leave without a chaperone and have ten minutes each morning to FaceTime a friend or family member, with a production team member present, so conversations cannot be authentic.
He said: "At one point my partner said, 'Have you caught the sun?' I was saying, 'Oh yeah, we were outside for one of the missions'. I was told I couldn't even tell her that." Celebrity Traitors continues on BBC One on Thursday at 8pm.
