The BBC has issued a statement following comedian James Acaster's elimination from Celebrity Traitors, after he confessed to being a Traitor during the penultimate roundtable.
Acaster, 41, was voted out of the castle on Thursday after revealing his identity to fellow contestants. Reports indicate he became upset during the tense session, prompting producers to pause filming and intervene, and that he received a welfare assessment before the roundtable began.
BBC prioritises player welfare
A BBC spokesperson said: "Our highest priority is always the safety and welfare of everyone taking part. Players are closely monitored and supported throughout by production which includes a dedicated and experienced welfare team." A representative for Acaster declined to comment.
Acaster started the game as a Faithful but was later recruited as a Traitor and found the role challenging. He attracted suspicion after a discussion about former EastEnders star Ross Kemp's murder in plain sight, during which he struggled to defend himself.
Acaster's confession at the roundtable
He told contestants: "I just want to explain my situation, I was made a Traitor without wanting to be. I've had a unique experience on this that no-one's had before, where I wanted to be a Faithful and that's all I've wanted to be. I couldn't just go, 'Guys it's me, vote for me', but that's all I can do really."
Acaster then revealed he had deliberately drawn attention to the perfume bottles, which led to Ross's murder. After receiving the majority vote, he said: "When I came into this experience I told Claudia [Winkleman] that all I wanted to be was a Faithful, and all I wanted to do is go around this castle and try and help the Faithfuls as much as possible catching Traitors. I'm really proud to say that's what I've been able to do, under the circumstances. I am, reluctantly, a Traitor."
Remaining players and prize fund
Elsewhere in Thursday's episode, actress Sharon Rooney was murdered, and comedian Joanne McNally was banished. Seven players remain: Traitors Maya Jama and King Kenny, alongside Faithfuls James Blunt, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Michael Sheen, Romesh Ranganathan, and Sebastian Croft.
No hint was given as to whom Maya and Kenny intended to murder at the end of the episode, ahead of the final. Maya drew scrutiny at the start when she raised a toast, declaring: "To killing them," before adding: "Banishing them even."
During Thursday's challenge, participants secured £5,000 for the prize fund, bringing the total to £64,500. The Celebrity Traitors is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
