Richard E. Grant has dismissed speculation that he intentionally revealed his identity as a Traitor on Celebrity Traitors to reduce his time on the show while still receiving his appearance fee.
The 69-year-old actor was among 21 participants who entered the BBC gameshow at the start of this month. He was quickly selected as one of Claudia Winkleman's Traitors, alongside Love Island host Maya Jama. The pair were tasked with concealing their true identities from fellow contestants, but Grant exposed himself moments after being chosen.
The Blunder
The incident occurred when comedian Joe Lycett asked Grant whether he was a Faithful or a Traitor, to which Grant answered: "Traitor." His admission stunned the other celebrities, and they subsequently banished him as they could not overlook the mistake.
While most viewers accepted the slip-up as a genuine error, some suggested the Oscar nominee deliberately fabricated the moment to cut short his participation. Grant has now addressed the speculation.
Actor's Response
Posting on his Instagram story, the actor stated: "I usually wouldn't comment on things like this, but I've been made aware some press outlets are suggesting I 'staged' my Traitors reveal to get out of filming. This is categorically false."
He added: "I'm an avid fan of the show and have been since it first aired. Being picked as a Traitor when I was convinced I'd be a Faithful was an absolute dream and a sheer shock to the system."
First Traitor Eliminated
Grant labelled his blunder "the biggest mistake I have ever made in my life," moments after the revelation. He attempted to "diffuse all the heat" directed at him following the gaffe, but the Faithfuls were unable to overlook his admission.
He was subsequently voted out during the show's very first roundtable, becoming the first Traitor to be eliminated from the castle at the opening vote. After his departure, Grant clarified that the mishap was not part of any wider game plan.
"The strategy of no strategy is the strategy, clearly. I'd watched every iteration that I possibly could have of this game and I was manifesting, willing myself to get invited to be a Traitor so receiving that...well, I lost all sense of self control," he said.
Celebrity Traitors is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
