Richard E Grant has been one of the most chaotic members of The Celebrity Traitors cast, but viewers have been just as intrigued by his scarf as by his suspicious behaviour. From the moment he stepped into the Scottish Highlands, the Withnail and I star has shown an unwavering commitment to a neck warmer.
Even when he is safely tucked up indoors, there it is: the scarf.
Practical reasons behind the scarf
The truth is considerably less mysterious than some Traitors fans might have hoped. Grant has previously explained that his love of scarves is “entirely practical”.
Speaking to Gentleman's Journal, the actor said his approach to fashion is based on keeping himself warm, explaining that he has a “long neck” and stands at 6ft 2in.
He said: “When I was starting as an actor, I’d say I found my inspiration in Donald Sutherland and Barbra Streisand.
“Both of them have long faces, and features that were deemed ‘oddball’ when they started out. But both of them have succeeded due to their immense talents - and both of them I’ve since thrillingly met.”
When it comes to his own style, Grant said there is no great fashion philosophy behind it. He added: “I have a long neck, I’m 6ft 2in tall and I cope with the cold by wearing turtle necks, jeans, waistcoats and scarves to keep warm”.
No secret Traitor signal. No coded message to Maya Jama. No attempt to distract Professor Hannah Fry from the fact he may or may not be lying through his teeth. Just a man with a long neck who doesn't want to be cold.
Grant's Traitors fate to be revealed
Of course, the scarf isn't the only thing keeping fans guessing. Grant will finally learn his fate in the latest episode of The Celebrity Traitors tonight (October 8), after Friday's episode ended with the actor coming under intense scrutiny at the roundtable.
The actor famously slipped up and admitted he was a Traitor, although his fellow contestants were left debating whether he had genuinely revealed his allegiance or was simply making a joke.
Former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh told Grant she would vote for him, saying: “I’ve come in here tonight with the intention of voting for you, Richard.
“You came into the bar and you said, I am a traitor.
“It was a bold move. It was chaotic and we love you for your chaos.
“I think we are at risk of being the most idiotic group of faithfuls if we go for someone else tonight based on nothing at all.”
Comedian Joanne McNally also came to Grant's defence, describing his confession as “such an obvious joke”. “I think the people vying for Richard are using him as a fall guy and a decoy,” she said.
But Grant has not escaped suspicion. Miranda Hart and mathematician Hannah Fry both noted a change in his demeanour after Claudia Winkleman selected the Traitors.
Viewers already know that Grant is, in fact, one of the show's Traitors, alongside TV presenter Maya Jama and comedian James Acaster. The trio were responsible for the murder of journalist Amol Rajan, before Acaster was recruited as the third Traitor.
Following the latest challenge, in which most of the celebrities won a shield protecting them from murder, either Fry or former model Jerry Hall could become the Traitors' next victim.
So, while we may now know exactly why Richard E Grant wears a scarf, there is still one very important question left unanswered: Will the scarf survive another roundtable?
The Celebrity Traitors airs tonight at 8pm on BBC One.
