Rob Beckett is reuniting with Joe Lycett and James Acaster on The Celebrity Traitors nearly two decades after performing in Soho pubs to just eight people.
The Tempting Fortune host and comedian said joining the BBC competition alongside friends from his early stand-up days had given him a chance to reflect on how far they had come. His close friend and regular collaborator, comedian Romesh Ranganathan, is also among the cast.
Friendships will not affect the game
But those friendships will not stop Rob from playing the game. If chosen as a Traitor, he says he has “no qualms about killing people off”.
The celebrity competition launches on October 1 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with comedians, actors, musicians and socialites competing for a prize fund of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice.
Reflecting on the reunion
Reflecting on the reunion, Rob said: “I think I'll just find the whole scenario hilarious because it's just so surreal to be around that group of people, and to be with a few people I know.”
He added: “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.”
For Rob, sharing the experience with people he has known throughout his career makes it particularly special. He continued: “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. 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. It's quite nice to see all of us here as grown-ups.”
Happy to be either Faithful or Traitor
Before joining the show, Rob said he would be happy to play either a Faithful or a Traitor, trusting host Claudia Winkleman and the producers to decide.
“Claudia knows who will be best suited to make it a great game, and I want it to be a great game. 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,” he said.
In the game, the Traitors secretly eliminate fellow contestants, while the Faithful must identify and banish them. Players who survive to the end have a chance to win the money, but if a Traitor remains, they take it all.
Alan Carr won the previous celebrity series. Whether Rob or one of his fellow comedians can follow that success remains to be seen. The Celebrity Traitors begins tonight (October 1) at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
