The second series of The Celebrity Traitors has come to an end on the BBC, with the finale episode filled with drama, including a notable unlucky decision from James Blunt at the very end. However, the series as a whole has left some viewers disappointed.
A High Bar Set by Alan Carr
One of the main reasons cited for the disappointment is the absence of a personality like Alan Carr, who won the first series of the celebrity spin-off. His hilarious attempt at being a Traitor, quick one-liners, and the way he "murdered" his friend Paloma Faith made the show a success by making it his own. His personable nature secured the trust of his co-stars and ultimately led to his success on the show.
The absence of such a light-hearted presence was felt this year, with the anxieties of the roundtable coming across on screen. Despite several comedians being on the show, the same sense of laughter and playfulness from the first series was missing.
Traitor Selection and Line-Up Underwhelm
The decision on who was a Traitor this year also failed to impress. Richard E. Grant was eliminated after just one day in the castle, and James Acaster's refusal to remove his blindfold and play the game properly was seen as disappointing. Maya Jama played what was considered the best game, with Richard and James as her "wingmen," and thanks to Kenny, the two deserving Traitors made it to the final.
The line-up itself was also underwhelming, with many contestants already knowing each other well, which ruined the element of the game. Suggestions for more variation included TV stars like Dermot O'Leary or Alison Hammond, documentary makers like Stacey Dooley or Louis Theroux, or music stars like Gary Barlow or Calvin Harris.
Despite the criticisms, the series was watched to the end, and the finale episode redeemed itself in some ways. It remains to be seen what the next series will bring.
