Rob Beckett has revealed he has "no qualms about killing people off" as he prepares to star in the second series of The Celebrity Traitors on BBC One. The comedian, who will play alongside close friend Romesh Ranganathan, James Acaster and Joe Lycett, said he would happily take on either role in the game.
Family Support and Friendly Rivalry
Explaining why he decided to take part, Beckett said his family loved the first series. "Me and my family loved the first one. I watched it with the kids. It's first thing we watched as a family that we all enjoyed at the same time," he said. "We watched the final together on holiday and had a great time. So, the family are all behind me and really happy and supportive."
On playing alongside Romesh Ranganathan, Joe Lycett and James Acaster, Beckett reflected on their shared history. "Romesh, obviously everyone knows we're such good friends, but Joe Lycett and James Acaster, I did gigs with them nearly 20 years ago, in pubs in Soho in front of eight people, and now all of a sudden we're in this situation," he said. "So, it's quite a reflective moment to consider this journey we've all gone on to now be on the biggest show on TV."
Strategy and Gameplay
When asked if he could betray his friends in the game, Beckett said he would expect the same in return. "Oh yes, if it's part of the game. And I'd expect vice versa. If I get done, I get done," he said. "I'll be competitive, but if I get murdered or banished or whatever the situation is, of course I'll be disappointed for a minute, and then I'll think, do you know what? I'm going home and I've got a couple of weeks off!"
On whether he wants to be a Traitor or a Faithful, Beckett said he would be happy with either. "Claudia knows who will be best suited to make it a great game, and I want it to be a great game," he said. "So, 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."
Playing in the Moment
Describing his strategy in three words, Beckett said: "In the moment." He explained that overthinking can lead to problems. "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," he said. "In life, the best things I've ever said have never been planned. That's the case with my stand-up. Anything I prepare and write is always rubbish. The best stuff is what I write on stage, in the moment."
On whether he would find it easier to deceive people or defend himself, Beckett admitted he might struggle to keep a secret. "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 you know what I'm thinking by looking at my face. So, I think I'm in trouble because I tell everyone everything with my expressions alone...and then I am very chatty. If I have a big secret of being a Traitor, then I may just give it up straight away. I could be the fastest Traitor out in history."
Beckett said he would try to keep his head down at the start of the game, but he has no big plan. "I'm not going in with a big strategy of I'm doing this and doing that if I'm this or that, I've got no plan," he said. Describing himself as a team player, he added: "I like to look after people and not lead, but I like to make sure everyone's alright. I'm quite happy for someone to lead the group, and I'd be a part of that. And I'm certainly not a lone wolf. I'm too chatty to be a lone wolf. I can't. I'm not going to do alliances and all that."
Asked about useful skills for the game, Beckett joked: "Really good at Lego. Really quick at that. Might help if there's a puzzle... Really the only skill I've got is talking." He also said he is comfortable being bad at challenges, adding: "I'm comfortable being crap at things. I tell you what, my skill is being comfortable being crap at something on telly!"
The Celebrity Traitors starts on Thursday 1st October at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
