The second series of Celebrity Traitors has launched with 8.9 million viewers, and fans are questioning whether Richard E Grant broke a major rule after revealing his Traitor status in the first episode.
Richard E Grant was selected as a Traitor by Claudia Winkleman, alongside Love Island presenter Maya Jama. The identity of the third Traitor remains undecided. After being chosen, Richard appeared to announce to his castmates that he is a Traitor, leaving viewers and celebrities stunned.
Fans question the Traitors oath
On Reddit, one fan wrote: "Traitors are not supposed to reveal their identities like we saw Richard do in the first episode, right? Obviously there's very little which can be done about it now and it will likely just result in his banishment, but would you consider it a clear breach of the Traitors oath?"
When contestants are selected as Traitors, they make an oath to Claudia agreeing to lie and deceive throughout the game and choose a contestant to murder every night. The third rule states: "Do you vow to keep your identity and the identity of your fellow Traitors a secret?"
Fans divided over the rule break
Another social media user questioned the "rule break", writing: "I was thinking the same, but this is the Celebrity Traitors after all. They're hardly likely to disqualify Richard E Grant and drag him out the castle."
Others theorised that Richard's statement could be passed off as a joke, with one fan noting: "The point of the rule is you can't say anything that would confirm that you're a traitor, which he didn't."
Many fans argued that Richard's statement was made before the Traitors oath took place, meaning he could not have broken a rule he had not agreed to. One fan wrote: "It was before he made the oath, and also completely iconic, so I think we can let it slide."
Another commented: "Must be the earliest someone has revealed they're a traitor as he hadn't been given the cloak at that point." One fan noted: "If it was a real issue, it would never have aired or he would have been removed during filming. Producers take the rules very seriously, especially in the UK series."
What happens next
With Richard now trying to get the target off his back, fans are waiting to see who he and Maya will choose as their third Traitor - Amol Rajan or James Acaster. The decision will be announced tonight (October 2) as Celebrity Traitors returns at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
