The latest episode of Celebrity Traitors fell slightly flat, according to one critic, after two beloved stars were forced to leave the show. Julie Hesmondhalgh was banished by the faithfuls, while Bella Ramsey was murdered by the traitors, leaving viewers disappointed by the early exits.
Despite a showstopping line-up that included Richard E Grant's self-sabotaging blunder that forced him out of the castle and Ross Kemp's paranoia, the episode failed to leave the critic at the edge of her seat. Friday's episode ended on a cliffhanger with the promise of a deadly game of hide-and-seek for four chosen contestants.
Traitors choose hide-and-seek players
The traitors opted to stay out of the game themselves before settling on Kemp, Ranganathan, his comic pal Rob Beckett, and Little Mix and solo singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock. "I think this is gonna mess with everybody's heads," said Hannah Fry.
Earlier in the show, the traitors murdered Last of Us actor Bella Ramsey, before the faithfuls banished Julie Hesmondhalgh. When Ramsey failed to arrive at breakfast, it became apparent that the traitors had been up to their tricks overnight.
Hesmondhalgh's reaction raises suspicions
Hesmondhalgh's reaction to Ramsey's removal immediately raised suspicions. The former Coronation Street star had been voted the most trustworthy in the group by her peers in episode one and given a shield, but by episode four her cards were marked and she was sent packing. With parting words, she declared: "Alas, it may mean I am not a phenomenal actor."
Their departures left the critic slightly disappointed, as she believed they would have given the current traitors a run for their money while providing entertainment value. She noted that many great stars are leaving far too early in the game.
Missed recruitment opportunities
With such a great mix of actors and comedians, the critic felt that Claudia Winkleman may have missed a trick by not recruiting personalities such as Julie or Miranda Hart from the very start. The latter is playing the game well but would be better suited as a traitor. Even actors Michael Sheen or Ross Kemp would be a good choice.
While Maya Jama appears to love being a traitor, her two recruits including comedian James Acaster and Hannah Fry appear to have been thrown too far into the deep end. Their attempt at being "bad" doesn't seem to be in their nature, and the pair are clearly uncomfortable with having to lie to their contestants, while Alan Carr revelled in it.
Despite some favourite contestants falling victim at the dreaded roundtable, the critic said she will continue to tune in, along with the 10 million or more viewers.
