Rob Beckett has spoken out about reports that he and Romesh Ranganathan fell out with fellow comedian James Acaster during filming of Celebrity Traitors, saying the claims "upset me a little bit".
Reports 'Completely Fabricated'
Speaking on the Parenting Hell podcast, which he co-hosts with Josh Widdicombe, Beckett said he "didn't tease" Acaster during filming and described the reports as "completely wrong". The reports, which appeared in the Mail on Sunday, suggested Acaster felt singled out by his long-time friends during filming at Ardross Castle in Scotland.
Acaster had previously dismissed the claims as "completely fabricated" during an appearance on Alan Carr's Life's A Beach podcast. Beckett, who was eliminated from the competition early, said both he and Ranganathan, along with their agents, denied the story, as did Acaster and his agent, and the BBC.
Denials and Denials
Beckett said: "Apparently James made an official complaint about me and Romesh teased him for his middle class upbringing. We were like 'obviously not, no. He's my mate, known him 10 years, we've been texting each other as the show has been going on.'"
He added: "I didn't say that, I was like, 'absolutely not, that's completely wrong.' Romesh and his agent, me and my agent and so did he, James and his agent, said 'absolute nonsense'. The BBC said absolute nonsense. Printed it anyway."
Beckett said the report was painful because "teasing and whatever you want to call it, bullying, it's the worst thing to do to anyone. And when you know it's categorically not true, and everyone's denied it, but it still exists out there."
Acaster's Dramatic Exit
The reports came after Acaster was involved in one of the most dramatic moments of the series, when he unmasked himself as a traitor after being reluctantly recruited. He subsequently reported experiencing severe anxiety, and filming was halted so welfare staff could check on him. Acaster was also absent from the live reunion.
Beckett also expanded on his time on the show, joking that celebrities considering signing up should do I'm A Celebrity instead because "it's an easier gig". He said: "The problem with Traitors is you cannot talk about it, you sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement). I've never had to do this for any show I've done about the way a show is made."
He added: "Take the money in the jungle. It's an easier gig. Take the money in the jungle, donate what you could have won on Traitors and enjoy your life. Because I've been in both shows, I've watched the jungle being made, the jungle is an easier gig, I'll tell you now. And I can't tell you why, because I'm not allowed to, I'm sure one day I'll be able to."
