Rob Beckett has admitted he faces a tough challenge in The Celebrity Traitors because he cannot hide his true feelings. The comedian, known for his TV work with Romesh Ranganathan, hopes to use humour as a deflection tactic, a strategy that helped Alan Carr win last year's series.
“I think I'll be good at deflecting with humour naturally because that's what I've been trained to do,” he said. “My problem is that you know what I'm thinking by looking at my face. I think I'm in trouble, because I tell everyone everything with my expressions alone.”
Strategy and Concerns
Speaking before the series was filmed in May, Rob explained his approach is to make decisions in real time. “Do trust your gut in the moment because you can overthink and over prepare, and then what I've got is panicked rehearsed lines - and that's not just in this game. In life, the best things I've ever said have never been planned.”
The 40-year-old dad-of-two, from south London, says the show feels like a full-circle moment. He recalled performing with Joe Lycett and James Acaster in pubs in Soho nearly 20 years ago in front of eight people, and now they are all on the show together. “Everyone wants to be on it, and we're very lucky to be here, and to be here with friends and people that I've come through the ranks with and been able to confide in over the years.”
Traitor Ambitions and Fellow Players
Rob says he would happily be a Traitor or a Faithful, leaving the decision to presenter Claudia Winkleman. “I'd happily be either. Claudia and the producers are the experts in this, not me, but I'm very happy to do both, and I’ve got no qualms about killing people off.” However, he worries his face would give him away immediately. “I could be the fastest Traitor out in history. I'll probably just get a tap of the shoulder and get up and go: ‘You’ll never guess what just happened to me!’ and off I go.”
Fellow player Joanne McNally reckons the six comedians on the show would “absolutely kill each other off” if necessary. She insisted they had not spoken beforehand. “We haven't been in cahoots at all,” she said. “There’s been no chatting because we know that we're more than willing to throw each other under the bus. They are professional entertainers, and they will absolutely kill each other off for the craic.”
Other Contestants and Series Details
The other comedians taking part are James Acaster, Joe Lycett, Miranda Hart and Romesh Ranganathan. Joanne, 43, quipped about signing up: “It's all about the celebrity WhatsApp group. And what an eclectic cast we have. It's like lining up all my ex-boyfriends. There's no consistency to it at all.” She believes she has the skills to be a Traitor, saying, “I'm great at spotting lies. I can read body language, and I've dealt with a lot of snakes.”
Heartstopper actor Sebastian Croft, 24, hopes to fly under the radar. “I’m very much hoping that the fact that most of the cast don’t know me will work to my advantage.” He prepared by having his tarot and astrology read. YouTuber and boxer King Kenny, 29, is on a mission to avenge his friend Niko Omilana, who was first to be banished last year. The first season of The Celebrity Traitors aired on the BBC last autumn and was watched by 15 million people across the series. The new series starts on October 1 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
