The Celebrity Traitors has returned to BBC for its second celebrity series, but some contestants are spoiling the show's illusion by revealing insider knowledge of the game too early.
Following its successful debut in 2025, the British edition of the celebrity version returned last week, with Claudia Winkleman welcoming a host of celebrity participants including Love Island's Maya Jama, actor Richard E Grant and presenter Romesh Ranganathan.
Contestants' Familiarity Undermines Intrigue
Although there are only two celebrity series of the British version, the current competitors are thoroughly acquainted with the format. It is now more evident than ever that the programme has matured beyond its early stages, something the celebrity contestants are clearly aware of.
When The Traitors UK launched in November 2022, British audiences had little idea what awaited them. The relentless twists created captivating television and the programme's momentum generated authentic anticipation. Several years on, viewers have seen two celebrity editions alongside four series featuring ordinary contestants, with American, Indian, Canadian and Irish adaptations also readily accessible on BBC iPlayer.
Ross Kemp's Early Theories
EastEnders legend Ross Kemp exemplifies this problem particularly well. It appears he is revealing certain aspects of the format prematurely, drawing on his knowledge from earlier series.
From the very opening moments of episode one, Ross appeared visibly on edge, convinced he had potentially been marked as a target. He fixated on the notion that he could have been "murdered in plain sight" by fellow faithful Bella Ramsey, after she placed a hat on his head. A fleeting brush of the arm from singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock also unsettled Ross, prompting him to tell others that he may have been killed off in the game.
Discussing being murdered so candidly this early on signals that far too much insider knowledge of the game is already on display. Being murdered by a Traitor in plain sight typically occurs much later in the series, yet as Ross has demonstrated — much like most viewers now — awareness of what could unfold rather deflates the show's sense of mystery.
Other Contestants Add to the Problem
Fellow celebrity Amol Rajan also appeared to chip away at the intrigue. When the journalist was summoned by The Traitors to learn his fate, his persistent sighing and restlessness seemed to betray exactly what he anticipated was coming.
A further concern was Richard's blunder in inadvertently exposing himself as a Traitor, with some of his faithfuls seemingly taking the bait — this also unravelled the game prematurely, with suspicions already mounting and the momentum somewhat undermined.
Over the years, The Traitors UK has excelled at keeping the format feeling vibrant and inventive, with producers ensuring each series differs subtly from the last. One can only hope this latest series follows suit — otherwise, it risks becoming yet another casualty in the long line of reality shows that lost their spark too soon.
The Celebrity Traitors airs Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 PM on BBC One.
