University Challenge host Amol Rajan has become the first celebrity murdered on the new series of Celebrity Traitors, saying he is “grieving” what might have been.
The Radio 4 presenter and fellow contestant James Acaster were both up for the chop in last night's episode, but were given the opportunity to plead for their lives in front of traitors Richard E Grant and Maya Jama. They ultimately chose to save the comedian, who now becomes a traitor himself.
Rajan said graciously afterwards: “It's just an absolutely unforgettable ride of a lifetime. And honestly, there's kind of an unhappy contrast right now, because I'm sort of grieving what might have been. In time I know that I'll come to look on this as honestly one of the greatest privileges of my life. In fact, I already do… to have been sort of in it when it's a show and a game I love so much is just a blessing, really. I just wish I could do it again and lots of times.”
Rajan Likens Chapel Exit to Religious Experience
Rajan loved it so much he likened his big church exit to a religious experience. “Last year I went to a pilgrimage in India for a BBC One documentary, travelling to the River Ganges,” the 43-year-old explained. “It's the biggest religious gathering in the world. Millions of people attend and there is chanting, smoke, rituals, people dressed in special garments, and it felt very heightened. I haven't felt that same intensity until last night in the chapel.”
Rajan reckons all the celebs in the castle are pinching themselves to be part of it. He added: “Even if you're someone who works in TV and is on TV, there is still something amazing about actually being in the place that you see on TV! To actually be there, taking in that this is a real place, and I'm actually here – well, it's spine tingling.”
Ross Kemp Saves the Day in Coffin Mission
Rajan believes Acaster will “be brilliant” as the new traitor recruit, but doesn't hold much hope for Richard E Grant, who blundered in the opening episode by telling everyone he's a traitor: “The one thing we do know is that Richard is either a Traitor, as he said, or a bad Faithful!”
Last night the trio quickly got to work trying to save calamitous Grant by focusing on paranoid Faithful Ross Kemp. They made the jittery EastEnders star safe from murder by forcing him to lead a brutal mission where celebs were paired off and buried underground in what Claudia Winkleman called “the biggest graveyard in traitors history”. Those not dug up by Kemp, and his partner Romesh Ranganathan, would be up for the next murder.
Feeling the pressure, Kemp said: “I feel that everybody's going to think that I'm a naughty person now. Why pick me? I think it's just a pile on suspicion, which could see me out of the game.” However, the Grant Mitchell actor managed to save all the celebrities except for the pairing of Hannah Fry and Jerry Hall, who shouted out the safe word “Hagis” when she began to feel claustrophobic.
The modelling legend apologised afterwards: “Lying in that coffin my head started spinning, I had to get out immediately.” It means one of Fry or Hall will be murdered next.
Round Table Banishment Looms
However, before then the celebs returned to the Round Table for the first banishment of the new series. Some were suspicious of Corrie star Julie Hesmondhagh for getting an early shield, while Little Mix singer Leigh Anne Pinnock came under scrutiny after she was spotted applying make-up at the end of the night, as if she was going somewhere - like the turret.
However, most of the heat was still very much on Richard E Grant, who struggled to come up with a good reason for admitting he was a traitor. Comedian Romesh said at the table: “Richard has given all of us a problem. I think it was a big mistake by you. I feel like you're forced our hand.” Even so, some celebs defended the Withnail & I actor, including fellow traitor Maya Jama, who said: “I've just been thinking, he's a bit wacky, he's a bit woo woo, you've been dancing around the place, saying loads of crazy things.”
Whose name the celebrities will write on the slate will be revealed in next week's episode on BBC One.
