Celebrity Traitors fans are convinced the strategically placed end credits of the second episode may have revealed exactly how the first roundtable will unfold. The episode ended shortly before the celebrities picked up their slates and chalk to write down a name, with many expecting it to be Richard E Grant.
Richard E Grant's unforced error
The Withnail and I actor made a significant unforced error during the premiere episode, when Claudia Winkleman picked him as one of her Traitors and he then told everyone else about it. While Grant has tried to frame it as an attempt at his own 'I am Spartacus' moment, the Faithful are clearly not buying it, and he was a matter of much discussion at the roundtable.
So much so, BBC viewers think the episode might have strategically rolled the credits before any votes were cast, because the result could be overwhelming for Grant. It is typical for The Traitors to show a few votes before a roundtable cliffhanger, so viewers can get a sense of which contestants the decision will come down to. But this time, not a single vote was shown.
Fan theories on social media
Taking to social media with a resultant theory, @MwepuMagic wrote on X: 'No voting cliffhanger which means EVERYONE voted for Richard E Grant.' They concluded: 'He will OFFICIALLY go down as the WORST Traitor of all time.'
Adrian was in agreement, tweeting: 'Yep, obviously they're dragging it out as he was one of the Star signings and didn't come cheap.' In the comments section, several shared their dismay at the prospect of Grant being the first to be banished, since he has been such an entertaining watch so far.
Mack wrote: 'I'd be gutted for him over how excited and desperate he was to be a Traitor, even if he self-sabotaged,' while Livvy agreed, tweeting: 'I'm so sad he's gonna leave. He was enjoying it so much.'
Ratings and episode highlights
Celebrity Traitors should be fine with or without Grant, given how good the ratings have been so far. The second episode drew in a peak audience of 8.6 million viewers, while the first launched to an average of 8.9 million – both held over 50 per cent of the audience share.
Aside from the cliffhanger ending, the main juice of the second episode was up top, when journalist Amol Rajan was murdered by Traitors Maya Jama and Grant, while funnyman James Acaster went turncoat. The Celebrity Traitors continues Thursday night at 8pm on BBC One.
