BBC viewers have flagged a "major flaw" with the celebrity spin-off of The Traitors ahead of its series finale, arguing that the famous contestants did not treat the game as seriously as players in the civilian version.
The latest season saw 21 famous faces enter the Scottish castle earlier this month, producing several memorable moments in the gameshow's history. Actor Richard E. Grant was the first to surprise viewers when he admitted to a room full of Faithfuls that he was a Traitor, shortly after being selected. The 69-year-old later explained the slip-up was due to the excitement of being appointed a Traitor.
Historic Confessions and Banishes
Grant was consequently banished following an almost unanimous roundtable vote, making history as the very first Traitor to be eliminated from the show in the first banishment vote. Last night (October 29), another bombshell first occurred as James Acaster confessed his identity as a Traitor during the semi-final roundtable.
Acaster, 41, had been backed into a corner by actor Michael Sheen, who correctly guessed that either Maya Jama or James were Traitors. In a moment of sacrifice, Acaster confessed: "I just want to explain my situation. I was made a Traitor without wanting to be. I've had a unique experience on this that no one has had before."
Viewer Criticism of the Spin-Off
Fans remain divided on whether the confession saved Maya and fellow Traitor King Kenny or set them up for failure. Many viewers have complained that the confessions from Acaster and Grant suggest this year's celebrity contestants did not take the gameshow "seriously enough" compared to players in the civilian version.
One Reddit user vented: "It’s the first time I’ve really felt the contestants are very perceptive of how they’re seen on the outside world so they’re containing their strategies. That’s the major fall with the Celeb version as they don’t need the money enough to do tactics such as throwing another Traitor under the bus or really going after someone in the roundtable." The commenter added that players this year "just haven’t been taking the game seriously enough compared to previous years," while also admitting the series featured "a strong cast".
Stakes and Defences
Another viewer suggested the famous players had little at stake, writing: "It reminds me of playing poker without a buy in, everyone goes all in on c**p hands because nothing is at stake. Normal traitors is so great as people are more willing to lie through their teeth if £100k is at stake."
One viewer said: "Stakes are lower for winning but higher for turning into a villain. The last thing any of these people want is to be seen as a bad guy. If there is a 100k for your family and you are a normal person then yeah you will be a bit meaner to get it in the context of this game." A disappointed viewer added: "It's been a very poor series all round to be honest."
Unlike the civilian series, where contestants play for a huge cash prize, the Celebrity Traitors stars play for £100,000 for a charity of their choice. Other viewers have defended the cast, arguing that two major mistakes should not overshadow the rest of the show. One posted: "I find the idea the contestants aren't taking it seriously baffling, Ross Kemp, James blunt, Sharon , James A are all taking it if anything too seriously, aren't they?" Another agreed: "Indeed, I think the celebs have been really into the game this series. People laugh at James Blunt and Michael Sheen for their incorrect theories, but I think every single one of them has held weight."
The Celebrity Traitors series finale airs tonight at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
