Celebrity Traitors producers were forced to abandon their planned cliffhanger after an "unthinkable" incident occurred during filming, according to a report.
The star-studded new season has already delivered dramatic television, with Richard E. Grant selected as a Traitor who immediately revealed his identity. Viewers are currently waiting to see whether the 69-year-old will be banished at the round table or survive.
Plans thrown out the window
Bosses typically map out potential cliffhanger moments before production, acknowledging that the show's cliffhangers are "legendary," from Diana's poisoned chalice to the tiebreaker between David and Mark Bonner. However, a source told The Sun that during filming, "something so unbelievable happened that even execs didn't see it coming."
"It forced them to throw plans out the window to accommodate the epic moment – which should make great TV," the source added.
Reactive production approach
Executive producer Sarah Fray explained early on: "We always have an idea before going into pre-production what might be cliffhangers, but we have to be so reactive because who knows what the story is going to be."
With Richard likely facing banishment this evening, theories abound about the game's next direction. One theory suggests newly-recruited, reluctant Traitor James could bring on board Bella Ramsey. Another proposes the Traitors might recruit tonight to spare Professor Hannah Fry from murder, as she is on the shortlist alongside Jerry Hall.
Cultural impact and viewer reactions
The new season has already entered British culture, with viewers amused by Ross Kemp's paranoid behaviour – including Prince William. Kemp has worried that anything could signal his murder in plain sight, from Bella whacking a sailor's hat to Leigh-Anna Pinnock giving him a shoulder rub while it was cold.
Celebrity Traitors airs on BBC One at 8pm every Thursday and Friday night. Metro has reached out to BBC for comment.
