Fans of The Celebrity Traitors believe they have identified the first contestant to be banished after spotting a subtle hint in the latest episode. The BBC show returned last week, featuring what has been described as one of the biggest Traitor blunders in the programme's history.
As per tradition, Claudia Winkleman divided the 21 participants into Faithfuls and Traitors. She chose Love Island presenter Maya Jama and veteran actor Richard E. Grant as her Traitor pair. Richard, aged 69, was particularly delighted to be chosen as one of the show's villains.
A costly slip-up
However, the actor committed a massive error when he revealed to a room full of Faithfuls that he was, in fact, a Traitor. He later confessed to the camera that the slip-up might have been "the biggest mistake I have ever made". Viewers are convinced this blunder has cost him his place in the castle, reports Wales Online.
The latest episode concluded with a cliffhanger as the contestants assembled for their first banishment of the series, but the screen went black before anyone had cast their vote. This abrupt ending has left viewers certain that Richard was expelled by his fellow contestants following an almost unanimous vote.
Fan theories emerge
Fans believe that the broadcaster suddenly cut the episode because the majority of the Faithfuls will vote for Richard. Taking to social media, one viewer said: "I'm assuming the reason they cut it there is cus the votes aren't going to be close and the majority is going to be for Richard."
"And since getting out a traitor on the first round table is such a huge iconic moment for the show they've made it so we're left on this huge cliff-hanger for a week until we see the moment unfold," they added.
Another person echoed the same theory, writing: "No Voting Cliffhanger which means EVERYONE voted for Richard E Grant. He will OFFICIALLY go down as the WORST Traitor of all time #CelebrityTraitors #Thetraitors."
A third fan voiced the same view: "I think its a majority vote for Richard and they didn't want to make the murder the cliffhanger because we already found out who the options were earlier in the episode."
Viewers react to possible exit
Others are already preparing themselves for the star's premature exit, with one supporter posting: "If Richard actually goes this early I'll be gutted. He may be an absolutely catastrophic Traitor but he's definitely entertaining."
While a second added: "I can't even be mad I'd just feel bad for him he wanted that Traitor role so badly."
The Celebrity Traitors sees a group of well-known contestants battling to secure £100,000 for their chosen charity. This series boasts the likes of comedian Joe Lycett, American actress Myha'la and musician Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
The previous season saw Alan Carr clinch a memorable win after successfully persuading his fellow contestants that he was a Faithful. He bagged a whopping £87,500 for charity. The first two episodes of The Celebrity Traitors season 2 are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
