James Acaster is failing as a Traitor on the BBC's Celebrity Traitors, and Social News Assistant Editor Samantha Bartlett believes it is time for Maya Jama and King Kenny to let him go.
Acaster's Reluctance to Play
Throughout the latest episodes, Acaster has shown little enthusiasm for his Traitor role. In the October 22 episode, he refused to take part in a shield-construction challenge, confessing he was "too nervous" about being discovered and didn't even lift his blindfold. This left his fellow Traitors, Maya Jama and Kenny, to handle the sabotage mission alone, though they also panicked and chose not to undermine anyone's shields to avoid exposure.
Acaster's reluctance dates back to his initial reaction to being selected as a Traitor. He has admitted he doesn't want to deceive his fellow celebrities, but Bartlett argues that the game is for charity and he should embrace the role.
Helping the Faithful
Instead of playing strategically, Acaster has actively aided the Faithful. When Scottish actress Sharon Rooney pieced together clues about perfume containers and suspected him, Acaster seemed eager to help her, even assisting her in finding the library. This behavior has put both himself and Maya under massive suspicion.
Bartlett points out that Acaster's actions contrast sharply with the Traitors' successful murder of Ross Kemp in the same episode. The plan relied on perfume and a timed yawn, with Maya and James spreading fragrance to trick their target. Ross was revealed as the casualty, much to viewers' amusement, given his earlier certainty he was being hunted.
The Case for Banishment
Bartlett argues that Acaster's refusal to engage properly is damaging his reputation more than being branded a liar would. She called him "the worst Traitor ever" on X during the show, a post that generated hundreds of responses, with many viewers agreeing.
Despite Acaster declaring in the Traitor Turret that he was "actually starting to enjoy it now" after the murder, Bartlett believes the only path to victory for the Traitors is to sacrifice him. His avoidance of missions, crumbling under strain, and helping the Faithful make him a burden that could determine their downfall.
What's Next for the Traitors
If Acaster is banished, Maya and Kenny could continue as a pair or recruit a new accomplice, though that would be risky at this stage. The only potential backfire would be if Acaster chose to bring them down with him, but whether he is capable of that remains uncertain.
The next episode of The Celebrity Traitors airs tonight, Friday 23 October 2026, at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
