James Acaster is reportedly planning a major career comeback after his appearance on The Celebrity Traitors ended with him breaking the rules and revealing his identity as a Traitor.
The comedian, 41, began the BBC One show as a Faithful, a role he was happy with, but was later recruited as a Traitor. Despite his reluctance, he accepted and joined Maya Jama and original Traitor Richard E. Grant in the Turret. Throughout the series, he insisted he was the most Faithful Traitor, but the pressure proved too much.
Rule-Breaking Confession
During a roundtable, James left his co-stars speechless when he declared he was a Traitor, leading to his banishment from the castle. The moment sparked division on social media, with some sympathising with him and others critical of his decision.
A source told The Sun: "Before The Celebrity Traitors, James was seen as a real good egg. He was one of those comedians people just instinctively liked. He had this slightly awkward, self-deprecating charm and there wasn't really any controversy surrounding him."
The source added: "People knew about his relationship history and the Rowan Atkinson situation [Louise Ford ended her relationship with Acaster to start a relationship with Atkinson] but that was about as much drama as there was."
Backlash and Reaction
The source said the backlash was "unfamiliar territory" for the actor and that he had been "taken aback" by the reaction. Viewers believed James had thrown his fellow Traitors, Maya and King Kenny, under the bus.
James's former girlfriend Louise ended their relationship and began a romance with Mr Bean actor Rowan after they appeared together in the West End production of Quartermaine's Terms. James said he only found out a year later when he opened a newspaper to see a lead story about her new relationship.
"No one else in the history of time has ever been left for Mr Bean," he said, adding: "I'm a goddamn saint to have kept this in the back pocket so long."
Support from Richard Osman
Richard Osman recently said he believes James may feel "destabilised" after the show. Speaking on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, he said: "If you're in it, like if you're James [Acaster] at the moment, I bet you think, 'Oh, I wish I hadn't done that because everyone can have one opinion about this today.'"
He added: "James then has to listen to 56 million opinions, you know, and like nobody needs that. And the thing with him, he's so brilliant and so talented that whatever he does next will, you know, supersede this in a heartbeat."
Richard continued: "But you know, it's just annoying to have to spend a couple of weeks sort of in a position where you feel slightly destabilised. James, if you're listening, or people who know and love James are listening, James, we love you. I'm very excited for what he does next."
The Mirror has approached James's spokesperson for comment.
