Celebrity Traitors star Richard E Grant accidentally revealed his true position in the BBC game after getting caught up in the excitement, much to the delight of viewers.
The hit BBC series has returned for its second instalment, following celebrity contestants – the majority of whom are known as Faithfuls – as they try to identify the murderous traitors among them, who eliminate players in the middle of the night.
Stars compete for charity prize
Contestants compete to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. Last year, Nick Mohammed turned on Joe Marler at the last minute and voted him to be banished, with everyone else in agreement, meaning Joe walked away from the prize pot.
In a turn of events, traitor Alan Carr remained undetected and swept the entire amount, £87,500, for his chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK.
Joining host Claudia Winkleman this year are Amol Rajan, Bella Ramsey, James Acaster, James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Joanne McNally, Joe Lycett, Julie Hesmondhalgh, King Kenny, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Maya Jama, Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Myha’la, Professor Hannah Fry, Richard E. Grant, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Ross Kemp, Sebastian Croft and Sharon Rooney.
Traitor selection and a costly slip
On Thursday (October 1), the 21 famous faces arrived at the famous castle as they awaited to find out whether they would be team faithful or traitor. Claudia conducted her interviews as she prepared to choose her traitors. After the first roundtable, the stars were blindfolded and Claudia paced around the room indicating who had been chosen.
Speaking to host Claudia Winkleman before being chosen as a traitor, Maya Jama said: “As a host, I have a welcoming energy and hopefully people will trust me.” Jama added she would “hopefully be an unassuming, warm and misleading traitor”.
Meanwhile, Grant said he was “utterly ruthless” and would feel “no guilt as it’s a game”. “If I was lucky enough to be a traitor, it would be a dream come true. In this game the only power you have is being a traitor,” he said.
Viewers react to blunder
Maya Jama was the first to be chosen, followed by Richard E. Grant. They later met in the turret, however, before that Richard made a grave mistake in his excitement. When asked if he was a faithful or traitor by Joe Lycett, Richard gave away his true identity, which he later admitted was a huge mistake on his part as he got caught up in the excitement.
Viewers rushed to social media as they admitted how funny Richard's major on-air blunder was. On X, @r3beccak wrote: "Richard is already ICONIC" @erinlouisehunt laughed: "I can’t cope with Richard E. Grant already!" Another user added: "Richard E Grant has already one upped Alan Carr and its the first episode" and another said: "Creased up at Richard, he’s loving life".
