Celebrity Traitors host Claudia Winkleman has explained why she thinks Richard E Grant confessed he was a Traitor during the first episode of the second series. The 74-year-old actor is a Traitor alongside Maya Jama and James Acaster, and together they will try to stay under the radar among the Faithfuls.
However, Grant let slip his identity when Joe Lycett asked him if he was a Traitor or a Faithful. With a grin, he replied: "A Traitor. What’s the point in being in the game if you’re not?" His fellow players were taken aback, with Joe responding: "I think you've just done something that has never happened in the game. It’s a bold strategy."
Host's take on the confession
Speaking to the camera after the moment, Grant said: "That may have been the biggest mistake I’ve made in my life. I was so thrilled to be chosen that in my excitement I said I was a Traitor. I need to defuse all of the heat coming in my direction." He added he was "absolutely convinced" he would be going home.
Discussing the admission, Winkleman said Grant was "vibrating with excitement" when she told him he was a Traitor, likening it to him being "given the lead role in the film and just had to tell everyone". She told Best Magazine: "I don't think it was nerves, I think it was just delirium."
Co-stars divided
Grant's co-stars have been split over his admission. His close friend Jerry Hall said she didn't believe him, telling cameras: "I’ve known him for over 30 years, and he says and does eccentric things. I think he is acting out because he hasn’t been chosen." Joanne McNally defended Grant around the table, stating he wouldn't have said it if he was one, but not everyone is convinced. James Blunt described Grant's approach as "an interesting angle", while Myha’la claimed the actor was too smart to have genuinely made such a mistake.
This week, the celebrities will write down the name of the person they believe is a Traitor. Whoever receives the most votes will be the first to be banished from the Castle.
Amol Rajan's exit
This comes after Grant and Maya murdered Amol Rajan in plain sight after the pair favoured James' plea to become the third Traitor. Speaking about his exit on The One Show, Rajan said: "It’s absolutely horrible. It was horrible at the time." He added: "Just so people know when you are on The Traitors, it is your world. It’s not like a game, you are hundreds of miles from your family, you don’t have your phone, it’s so intense, it’s a little bubble," before describing Grant as the "lord of chaos".
Celebrity Traitors airs Thursdays and Fridays from 8pm on BBC One.
