Maya Jama has addressed her decision to recruit James Acaster and Hannah Fry as fellow Traitors on The Celebrity Traitors, telling fans she had no idea they did not want the role.
The Love Island host was chosen to become a Traitor by presenter Claudia Winkleman during the opening episode of The Celebrity Traitors series two, alongside actor Richard E Grant.
In a dramatic turn of events, the duo were tasked with recruiting a third Traitor, ultimately selecting comedian James, despite his outspoken reluctance to take on the role from the outset.
Richard eliminated at first roundtable
Richard was eliminated during the series' first roundtable, prompting Maya and James to bring mathematician Hannah into the fold, though she has already attracted considerable suspicion.
The threesome have thus far avoided detection, yet viewers have taken to social media to label James and Hannah "boring", with Maya herself offering them guidance at the conclusion of Friday's (October 10) episode, reports the Daily Star.
As Hannah and James expressed their difficulties, Maya remarked: "I can't be the only one out here killing people" before playfully adding: "Where is Richard when I need him? Rich. the spirit of Rich."
Maya's social media response
Maya took to her X account, formerly Twitter, on Saturday (October 10) to clarify that she had been unaware of James and Hannah's reluctance to become Traitors. The TV presenter wrote: "All I will say after last nights episode is I had NO IDEA they didn't want to be traitors when I agreed to recruit them. Remember you see more on the TV than I did in that castle #CelebrityTraitors."
Supporters have since rallied to Maya's defence, responding to her post: "Maya I hope your back is ok after single handedly carrying the traitors since Richard left x" Another commented: "Maya doing a fantastic job as a traitor so far, carrying the others."
A third posted: "Girla. No shade, I would throw James A. and Hannah under the bus (for the mere fact that neither are pulling their weight and literally giving ... nothing) and start anew. It's so ... meh watching you strategise alone and clean up the other Traitors' mistakes and fumbles."
Fans back Maya to go all the way
A fourth concurred: "Wouldn't be opposed to you throwing them under the bus and starting afresh." A fifth remarked: "You're doing a fantastic job as a traitor. Hope you go all the way to the end."
The Traitors have thus far murdered Faithfuls Bella Ramsey and Amol Rajan, while the group have banished Traitor Richard and Faithfuls Myha'la and Julie Hesmondhalgh.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Rob Beckett, Ross Kemp and Romesh Ranganathan all face potential murder by the Traitors during the forthcoming episode. The Celebrity Traitors continues Thursday, October 15 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
