Celebrity Traitors winners Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian 'Bash' Croft have spoken out against the online backlash to their charity donations, with Ranganathan describing the criticism as a 'distraction tactic' against refugees.
The comedian, 48, and Heartstopper actor, 24, secured a Faithful victory in the final, watched by over 11 million viewers, and won a prize pot of £83,000. The final saw the ousting of Traitors Maya Jama and King Kenny, the wrongful banishment of Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and a tense firepit showdown with James Blunt.
Winners defend charity choices
Ranganathan's half of the jackpot went to the Refugee Council, while Croft gave his £41,500 to Choose Love, both organisations supporting displaced communities. Social media saw mixed reactions, with some praising the donations as 'true British values' while others suggested refugees 'do not need the money' and that 'small, struggling charities' would have benefitted more.
Speaking on Croft's podcast, Sunday Scaries, Ranganathan said: 'I know that you volunteered for Choose Love when you were younger. And I had got involved with Refugee Council because I got so fed up of the rhetoric against refugees and how these people are being demonised.'
Positive conversations encouraged
Ranganathan explained it was pure 'coincidence' that both chose refugee charities, and said the 'voices that are angry about it have been amplified because that's the fun angle, right? But loads of people have come out in support.' He added that the 'back and forth' between sides has 'actually been really positive', encouraging open conversations.
Croft noted: 'It was so funny when we got to the end, and we both realised, because no one really discussed (charities). It wasn't like we assumed we were gonna win. And so it felt like such a nice moment at the time, but then to see the response, what it made me realise is that's people's response to a game show donating money to people who are really vulnerable. Imagine how difficult it is for those people navigating that system.'
Charities respond
Choose Love, which Croft volunteered for as a teenager, shared a clip of the chat on Instagram, with commenters praising the stars as 'great men'. The charity called Croft 'incredible' and thanked him for the funds, with the musician keen to help LGBTQ+ displaced people.
The Refugee Council hailed Ranganathan as a 'brilliant champion' since he became an ambassador in September, writing: 'His support will help us continue to provide vital frontline services to refugees who come to Britain in search of safety and the chance to rebuild their lives.'
Maya Jama, who was a Traitor at the start, also made a charity contribution, donating what she would have won to Action For Children, a UK children's charity supporting young people in crisis.
