Fans of Celebrity Traitors were left frustrated after Friday's episode ended on a major cliffhanger, with the banishment decision still unknown. The programme, which returned this week with 21 celebrities competing for a cash prize of up to £100,000 for their chosen charity, has already drawn complaints over its dramatic pause.
Traitors chosen and a slip-up revealed
On Thursday (October 1), Claudia Winkleman selected Maya Jama and Richard E. Grant as the first two Traitors. This followed a slip-up in which Richard inadvertently revealed his Traitor status in front of a group of Faithfuls.
At the end of the inaugural episode, Maya and Richard were tasked with choosing two Faithfuls to join them in the chapel. One would be converted into a Traitor, while the other would become the first celebrity murder victim.
Friday's episode and the cliffhanger
On Friday (October 2), it was revealed that the Traitors had chosen James Acaster to join their ranks, while Amol Rajan said his final goodbyes to the castle. The celebrities then embarked on their second mission, which involved being buried alive. The challenge proved too much for Jerry Hall, who requested to be removed from the coffin before the task began, resulting in her being put up for murder alongside her partner Hannah Fry.
Later in the programme, the series' first roundtable commenced, with Julie Hesmondhalgh, Ross Kemp, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Richard all making their case, before a dramatic cliffhanger left viewers fuming.
Fan reactions and release schedule
One viewer vented on X: "What a b***** cliffhanger!" Another chimed in: "Simply can't wait almost a week to find out who gets banished [crying emoji]." A third declared: "Sorry that was a f****** awful ending to that episode wtf." Someone else shared the frustration, posting: "NOOOOOO NOW WE HAVE TO WAIT A WHOLE WEEK."
The third instalment of Celebrity Traitors will broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer at 8pm on Thursday, October 8. The following episode will transmit at the same time the next day (Friday, October 9). Episodes will continue to broadcast every Thursday and Friday, culminating in the finale on Friday, October 30.
Before the next episode airs, viewers can tune into The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked, the programme's official video podcast, hosted by Ed Gamble with eliminated and murdered contestants. Viewers can also watch Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides, which explores how Claudia makes her selections. Celebrity Traitors is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
