Ross Kemp's hyper-vigilant behaviour on the second season of Celebrity Traitors could lead to his downfall, as his suspicious reactions to fellow contestants risk being misinterpreted as traitorous conduct.
The former EastEnders actor, known for his tough-guy documentary persona, has been reduced to a nervous wreck by his castle companions. During the first mission, Kemp and singer James Blunt elected themselves leaders of the challenge, which played to Kemp's strength of yelling in front of a camera. However, after The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey placed a sailor's hat on his head following the mission's success, Kemp concluded he had been "murdered in plain sight" during the car journey back to Ardross Castle.
A pattern of suspicion
Kemp's paranoia continued when Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock rubbed his shoulder in passing, prompting him to again decide he had been murdered in plain sight. In a to-camera interview, he stated: "My guard is very much up. Anyone touching me, offering me a drink, talking to me in a slightly odd way, that could be me gone. So at the moment I'm feeling pretty paranoid."
The second season was filmed months after the first Celebrity Traitors became a hit, which included two instances of Alan Carr betraying his fellow contestants. Despite his apparent intention to be a Traitor Hunter, Kemp's habit of pointing the finger at anyone who comes near him is likely to get the finger pointed back at him.
Gameplay risks
Being a Faithful in the early stages of the game is akin to being a sitting duck, as it is a numbers game. The safest strategy is to stay inconspicuous until the headcount is reduced. However, Kemp's manic distrust could easily be read as a Traitor trying to implicate others, especially when there is little evidence beyond Richard E Grant's unhinged admission that he is a Traitor.
Kemp's Hail Mary could be his ability to diffuse tense situations and his reputation as a proponent of justice. Jerry Hall's blind defence of Grant's Faithfulness due to their neighbourly connection showed how prior showbiz associations can hinder gameplay. The first batch of Celebrity Traitors had a historically poor run of eliminating less-famous contestants before eventually identifying Jonathan Ross as a Traitor.
Kemp might still be in the clear despite a couple of tactical blunders, as long as he doesn't unravel if Joe Lycett breathes in his direction or Myha'la looks at him oddly. Celebrity Traitors returns tonight on BBC One at 8pm.
