James Acaster has shared a behind-the-scenes secret about filming Celebrity Traitors, revealing a daily routine that the BBC cuts from the final broadcast.
The 41-year-old comedian and presenter, who continues as a Traitor alongside Maya Jama and King Kenny, detailed the roundtable ritual in a video shared with fans after filming wrapped at Ardross Castle.
The Hanging Tree ritual
Acaster explained that before each roundtable, the contestants walk in silence down the corridor, sit down, and are then blindsided by the playing of The Hanging Tree from The Hunger Games film franchise, starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen.
"It's like a capella, Jennifer Lawrence... you're all sat there and the camera goes in the middle of you," he said. "Sometimes when you see the shots of the roundtable, it's like a panning shot of everyone sitting with a serious face?"
He continued: "So you're having to sit there like that while it does the '...coming to the tree' and it is every f****** time - the only song we heard the whole time we were in there. And all day I would have it in my head constantly - and everyone would."
Fan reactions and feud denial
Viewers responded to the revelation, with one commenting: "Yep a guy from series one of the regular version confirmed this! Done it since the beginning." Another said: "Oh my God this is absolutely hilarious!" A third joked: "Claudia trying to radicalise them," while a fourth remarked: "Omg please this sounds like hell."
The revelation follows the BBC's denial of claims of teasing by Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan towards Acaster. A BBC spokesperson told The Radio Times: "Claims of teasing amongst the cast on the show and claims of complaints about teasing are categorically untrue. There were no incidents of this nature and there is no evidence to support these allegations."
Representatives for Beckett and Ranganathan also told The Independent that "these claims are completely untrue and couldn't be further from the truth".
Acaster's position in the game
Fans increasingly believe Acaster's time in the castle is limited. Widely regarded as the most Faithful Traitor, he has also gained heartthrob status this series. During a recent mission, the Traitors were tasked with accumulating money for the prize fund by constructing a new shield while dismantling others.
Acaster refused to move, with Michael Sheen and Bash positioned on either side of him, causing turmoil among the three Traitors, as Kenny and Maya accused him of leaving them exposed. One viewer observed: "Whilst I agree with James A's decision to stay still, he really should have taken his blindfold off at least. He really left the others out to dry then."
Another responded: "Showed a lack of solidarity. But I think he was so scared that even the noise of that could give him away. But being the 'faithfuls traitor' is not a strategy that will work long term." A further comment read: "The other Traitors see him as a liability. Kenny will be gunning for him after the perfume comment."
The Celebrity Traitors airs every Thursday and Friday from 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
