BBC

BBC accused of ‘enabling’ Russell Brand after he boasted that Beeb boss was ‘incredibly tolerant’ of his sexual conduct

THE BBC has been accused of enabling Russell Brand with the disgraced star claiming his Beeb boss was “incredibly tolerant” of his behaviour.

Brand, 51 – due to be sentenced on Monday – is being monitored around the clock by guards after he was found guilty on Thursday.

The BBC has been accused of enabling Brand’s behaviour Source: Reuters
Brand is facing a lengthy jail term when he is sentenced on Monday Source: PA

Brand was facing trial for three counts of rape, one count of attempted indecent assault and three counts of sexual assault.

Following eight and a half hours of deliberation the jury delivered guilty verdicts on three counts of sexual assault and one count of rape, bringing the four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court to a close.

He was refused bail and was sent down to the cells with two female dock officers after the verdict was handed down.

The jury found Brand guilty of groping an MTV worker during a party at a Soho bar in 2004, but not guilty of going on to rape her in a toilet.

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Mr Justice Bennathan ruled that Brand must be remanded into custody until sentencing on Monday Source: PA
Brand was refused bail and was sent down to the cells Source: PA

He was also convicted of kissing and groping a Capital Radio worker after encountering her in a corridor in 2005.

And, he was found guilty of raping a 21-year-old fan at his Hampstead house after meeting her at a 2009 stand-up show at the Hammersmith Apollo.

Brand was also convicted by the jury of sexually assaulting a Channel 4 worker in 2009 when she had been forced to give him a massage.

The convictions piled further pressure on the BBC after it was revealed Brand had boasted his boss at the Beeb was “incredibly tolerant” of his sexual behaviour.

Britain’s public broadcaster has faced scrutiny over the actions of its stars in the past, including Huw Edwards and Jimmy Savile.

Channel 4 and MTV are also now under the spotlight for their alleged failures in how Brand’s behaviour was managed.

Liz Kershaw, a radio DJ who worked with the BBC for some 30 years, accused the corporation of “enabling Brand’s behaviour.”

Writing in The Telegraph, she said: “Maybe his enablers should finally have been brought to book. Media executives, comedy club promoters.

“His agent. After all, as Brand once said, ‘people will let you be a nutter as long as they are making money out of it.’”

Brand claimed in the mid-2000s that Lesley Douglas, his boss when he worked at BBC 2, “loved me and gave me lots of room – so I took that room.”

The rapist was found guilty today after eight hours of deliberation Source: PA
The disgraced star’s wife supported him in court Source: PA

He claimed this included allowing him to use the disabled toilets for sex with radio competition winners.

Brand was also accused of raping two more women and could now face further criminal charges, it was revealed after the verdicts.

The court heard that one of the complaints comes from a woman who dated Brand when he was 30 years old and another was a 16-year-old schoolgirl.

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the two allegations made against Brand.

After today’s guilty verdicts were delivered, Brand’s barrister launched into an extraordinary foul-mouthed rant at a journalist as he left the courtroom.

Ian Winter KC launched into the verbal tirade at Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin.

He said to her: “I hope you are pleased with yourself”, and she was heard replying: “I’m pleased justice has been done.”

Mr Winter said during the clash: “Well, it wasn’t. You f***** it.” “Congratulations,” he added.

During the trial, Mr Winter had argued that reporting of allegations against Brand by Ms Urwin and others had “poisoned the well”, and rendered it impossible for him to have a fair trial.

The trial judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, dismissed an attempt by Brand to block his trial from taking place because of negative media coverage.

Brand’s verdicts in full

Count 1 
Brand was charged with raping a woman in her hotel room after meeting her at cabaret show he was performing in on the fringes of the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth in 1999.
He was found not guilty of rape. 

Count 2
He was accused of trying to drag an MTV worker into a toilet at her London offices in 2001 
He was found not guilty of attempted indecent assault.

Count 3
Brand was accused of grabbing the breasts of an MTV worker he met at a friend’s party at Nordic Bar in London’s Soho in 2004 within seconds of meeting her.
He was found guilty of sexual assault.

Count 4
He was accused of dragging the same MTV worker he groped at the bar into the toilets and orally raping her.
He was found not guilty of rape.

Count 5
Brand was accused of kissing and groping a Choice FM radio worker in around 2004 or 2005 in front of his entourage.
He was found guilty of sexual assault.

Count 6
He was charged with raping a fan at his London home after they met when he invited her backstage after one of his gigs at the Hammersmith Apollo in February 2009.
He was found guilty of rape.

Count 7 
He was charged with sexually assaulting a Channel 4 staffer by shoving his face in her groin when his entourage allegedly asked her to give him a massage in 2009.
He was found guilty of sexual assault.

Brand tried to smear journalists as “criminals” and claimed women accusing him of abuse were “fictional” in a doomed bid to avoid trial.

He argued he had been “destroyed” by a “trial by media” when the Times, the Sunday Times and a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary exposed him as a sexual predator in 2023.

A series of women came forward to police afterwards, speaking out about being raped, forcibly kissed and groped by Brand during his showbiz career.

Media claims published in 2023 sparked a criminal investigation and Brand was interviewed under caution four times between November 2023 and January 2024.

The former BBC Radio 2 presenter went on trial after he was accused of offences against six women from 1999 to 2009.

Brand denied all the charges, insisting any sexual contact was consensual.

The court heard how Brand became a “ruthless, calculated and manipulative” predator as he sought to satisfy his “voracious” sexual appetite as part of a depraved campaign to sleep with 5,000 women.

During the trial,  Brand’s lawyer Ian Winter, had argued that reporting of allegations against Brand by Ms Urwin and others had “poisoned the well”, and rendered it impossible for him to have a fair trial.

The trial judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, dismissed an attempt by Brand to block his trial from taking place because of negative media coverage.

Brand tried to smear journalists as “criminals” and claimed women accusing him of abuse were “fictional” in a doomed bid to avoid trial.

He argued he had been “destroyed” by a “trial by media” when the Times, the Sunday Times and a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary exposed him as a sexual predator in 2023.

The convictions sparked claims the BBC and other broadcasters turned a blind eye to Brand’s behaviour.

An internal corporation report, published in 2023, found that numerous complaints about Brand had been ignored.

His former BBC boss previously issued a statement via a spokesperson.

It read: “Ms Douglas did not at any time encourage, enable and/or fail herself to take any adequate steps within her power with regard to the conduct of Mr Brand of which she was aware.”

Following Brand’s conviction, a BBC spokesperson said: “Firstly, the thoughts of everyone at the BBC are with the brave women who came forward and told their stories which led to a conviction in this case.

“There can be no place for the abuse of power.

“Across the industry, we must work together to ensure that anyone who suffers at someone else’s hand feels able to report it, that their concerns are taken seriously and that they are listened to.

“We published a detailed report in January 2025 into how complaints about Russell Brand’s conduct were handled. This looked at eight allegations of misconduct while he worked here between 2006 and 2008.

“It was of great concern to us that some people felt unable to raise concerns about Brand’s behaviour. We apologised to those impacted, for both the culture and failings at the time, and we reiterate that apology again today.”

The Sun has contacted the BBC for comment.

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Strictly Come Dancing star braced to quit show as host makes jaw-dropping reveal

EXCLUSIVE Strictly judge Anton Du Beke says a big name is ready to leave the hit BBC One Dance show saying, ‘It’s getting a bit much.’

Anton Du Beke has shocked Strictly Come Dancing fans by revealing a big name star is looking to waltz away from the BBC series for good.

The former pro dancer who is now an established judge on the series, revealed that one famous face on the show has already spoken to him about potentially leaving at the end of the 2026 series. His comments, as he promoted his new memoir Steps In Time, are sure to start a guessing game amongst fans.

Speaking on stage in Bath, Anton, 60, said: “I spoke to somebody the other day and they were like ‘It’s getting a bit much’.

“It’s somebody who’s been on it not that long, a little while, and I understood that. I thought about it for a while and I wondered if they will be on it or whether they will decide to step away or carry on.”

The comments could refer to a number of the new pro dancers or the new show hosts, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, who only joined this year.

There have also been reports than judge Shirley Ballas may consider walking away from the UK version of the show if she landed a full time role on US series Dancing With The Stars. She was recently a guest judge on the series but insisted in an interview last month she was “100 percent not leaving Strictly”.

Anton is not seemingly referring fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood, as the pair still love being on the show and are veterans having been on the series since it began in 2004. On his love for Strictly, Anton said: “I was there from Day One. Craig and I, we are the only ones left. I am so proud of that. It is one of my greatest things.

“I am so proud to have been on the show since the beginning and still loving it as well. I love it as much now as I always have. It is the most brilliant show. I love being a judge. I loved being a professional.

Referring to the late great former host Bruce Forsyth, he added: “I loved working with Brucie. He was my hero growing up. Brucie would come out and do his own warm up and I used to stand in the wings and watch him before the show began. I watched him every week for about 15 years. He was a genius.”

Anton was speaking at the Bath Forum to promote his book Steps In Time, his first memoir. The book, which is released tomorrow, is described by publishers as a “coming-of-age story” which reflects on Anton’s youth, and his rise as a pro dancer before then joining Strictly and becoming a TV star.

He left school as a teenager with no qualifications and took on a variety of jobs to pay for dance classes. after competing as a pro he then hit the bigtime when he landed a spot on Strictly. Once there he danced with celebrities including Kate Garraway, Ruth Langsford, Jerry Hall, Judy Murray and the late Ann Widdecombe.

* Steps In Time by Anton Du Beke is out on November 5 from Blink Publishing.

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James Acaster ‘feeling destabilised’ by Celebrity Traitors reaction, says Richard Osman

Comic James Acaster is said to feel ‘destabilised’ after he revealed to his co-stars that he was in fact a Traitor, as he narrowly missed out on a place in the Celebrity Traitors final

Celebrity Traitors star James Acaster is said to be feeling “destabilised” after he revealed his bombshell. The comedian started the BBC programme as a Faithful but was eventually recruited as a Traitor, despite making it clear that he was unhappy about it.

Throughout his time on the show, Acaster, 41, said he didn’t want to lie and that he played the game “as honestly as he possibly could.” But during last Thursday’s roundtable, James dramatically revealed to his co-stars that he was, in fact, a Traitor – leaving everybody stunned by the bombshell.

But while James had cleared his conscience, his decision didn’t go down too well with viewers at home. Following his revelation, he was subsequently banished from the castle by his co-stars.

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The Rest Is Entertainment podcast hosts Richard Osman and Marina Hyde have also discussed the backlash James faced after sharing his news on the show. Discussing any regrets that the cast may feel now, Richard said: “If you’re in it, like if you’re James [Acaster] at the moment, I bet you think, ‘Oh, I wish I hadn’t done that because everyone can have one opinion about this today.’

“James then has to listen to 56 million opinions, you know, and like nobody needs that. And the thing with him, he’s so brilliant and so talented that whatever he does next will, you know, supersede this in a heartbeat.”

He added: “But you know, it’s just annoying to have to spend a couple of weeks sort of in a position where you feel slightly destabilised. James, if you’re listening, or people who know and love James are listening, James, we love you. I’m very excited for what he does next.”

Meanwhile, James’ co-star, singer James Blunt, has claimed that a lot of the roundtable discussion was edited out of the final version of the episode. Speaking to the BBC, Blunt said: “He didn’t fall on his sword. That’s what you saw, that’s what you feel, but he didn’t. You didn’t see the full extent of the interrogation. It was heavy in there, and it was clear-cut. He was pinned to a post. We got him. We really, really got him.

“I think how that played out hasn’t really been revealed to you, but he didn’t just say, ‘Oh, guys, you got me’.” He went on to say of the editing of the show: “There are elements [of the show] where I was screaming at the screen for a different reason than you.

“No matter what really went on in that castle, you’re a victim to the edit.” James also revealed that he only went on the show to promote his new material and wasn’t too bothered about going along with the game.

He disclosed: “We all get paid the same, whether you’re there for day one or day 23. So for most of the time, I was trying to… Get the hell out of dodge. But no one was killing me, and no one was banishing me.”

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Who is Rachel Duffy in This City is Ours and does she die?

This City is Ours fans are worried for Rachel Duffy as she becomes more powerful following her deal with Jamie.

This City is Ours fans are concerned about the body count in the latest season.

This City is Ours continues to air on BBC One and the second season sees Rachel Duffy (played by Laura Aikman) start to take control having been ignored by the men in the business for years. The first season saw Rachel start to earn her seat at the table, only to be pushed aside again.

This all changed following her little side deal with Jamie (Jack McMullen) and now, the pair are becoming more and more powerful. Ahead of the new season, which is full of shocking death twists, actress Aikman shared: “This whole series is about shifting power, both in the business and in people’s relationships. We’re going to see Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) more powerless than we’ve seen him before, and Rachel more powerful than we’ve ever seen her. But as is true to the show, power is always up for grabs.”

She added: “For Rachel, I desperately wanted for her to get more power, it felt like she was so unheard, and pent up with anger at being ignored, so that starting to happen for Rachel in series two was all of my dreams coming true for her.” Here is all you need to know about who Rachel is and what happens to her.

WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS SPOILERS

Who is Rachel Duffy in This City is Ours?

Rachel Duffy is Jamie’s cousin and the gang’s accountant in the series, and she is married to Robert “Bobby” Duffy (Kevin Harvey), a senior gang member. In the second season Rachel does a business deal behind her husband’s back and she is shunned by the rest of the gang.

Actress Aikman shared the storyline: “There’s a scene between Kevin and myself where Rachel questions if her actions would be judged so harshly if she was a man. That scene was really satisfying and makes you examine who you’re rooting for and why.

“I think the viewers all root for Michael, as do I, when I’m watching the series. This is a man who we saw murder his best friend (Ronnie, Sean Bean), and at no point do we think Diana should leave him. We want Michael to win. But when Rachel does something far less catastrophic, she is judged harshly.”

Actress Aikman, 40, is otherwise known for her roles in The Mysti Show, Casualty, The Job Lot and Waterloo Road. She also played Sonia in Gavin & Stacey. The star has been married to actor Matt Kennard since 2019, with the pair having met when she joined the final season of Bluestone 42.

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Does Rachel Duffy die in This City is Ours?

Sadly for fans of Rachel, she does meet her demise in the second season of This City is Ours and she was seen being taken away in a body bag, having last been seen dancing at a nightclub. Multiple suspects are questioned about the shooting, including her husband, and new antagonist Ozzie Thompson (Shaun Evans) questions Freddie (Adam Abbou) about his involvement.

Ozzie attempted to help a vulnerable Freddie escape to Ireland, with Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce) knowing that it was Freddie who shot Rachel. Once Michael had located Freddie, Freddie did the right thing and confessed to the murder, giving himself up to the police.

Ozzie got his comeuppance in the end after it was discovered he had manipulated Freddie into killing Rachel. Plenty of people wanted Ozzie dead after it was discovered he had coaxed Freddie into carrying the gun that eventually killed her.

At the end of the series Michael, Jamie, Bobby, and Banksey (Mike Noble) killed Ozzie by shooting him four times – one bullet each. Ozzie had ultimately used Freddie to target the Phelan family’s circle, setting off a chain of violent, vengeful acts across the season.

This City is Ours is streaming on BBC iPlayer, with episodes airing weekly on BBC One on Sundays and Mondays

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Rivals: Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua – watch trailer for new BBC Sport documentary

Two fighters from different worlds. Two contrasting styles and journeys to the top.

For more than a decade, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have divided opinion over who was the defining heavyweight of their generation.

This is the inside story of heavyweight boxing’s long-awaited showdown, told by those who witnessed it unfold from within the Fury and Joshua camps.

Watch Rivals: Fury v Joshua on BBC iPlayer and listen to 5 Live Boxing: Fury v Joshua on BBC Sounds from Tuesday, 10 November.

Available to UK users only.

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BBC News viewers left distracted by unexpected blunder

There was a very awkward moment during a BBC News segment which was spotted by viewers

Viewers of BBC News were taken aback by an unexpected error.

Those tuning in to the latest update on the channel were left distracted by the blunder. One of the latest updates which aired from the broadcaster over the weekend, left more than a few people rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

It came during a bulletin which reported on the key midterm elections over in the United States. Americans are set to go to the polls this week as they choose to elect members of Congress.

The results could have a huge impact on Donald Trump’s presidency, of which he has two years remaining in his term. However, during the segment, the channel unintentionally broadcast an unrelated word.

It was pointed out on Tuesday, November 2 by TV critic, and co-host of BBC podcast Must Watch, Scott Bryan. He shared a screengrab of the moment on social media and said: “BBC News errrr… you might want to check the reflection.”

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While the graphic read: “US Midterm Elections” accompanied by a US flag, the reflection of it on the newsreader’s desk made it look very different. The upside down ‘L’ made it look more like an unconventional letter ‘R’.

As a result, it appeared to many watching along that the word ‘erections’ was being plastered over the reflective surface. Scott’s original post gained several responses.

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Many of them were from people who just could not help themselves but poke fun at the situation. One person immediately asked: “Will they face stiff competition from Sky News?”

Another added: “They’re going to have to open up a Department for Reflections Corrections at this rate.”

Someone else said: “Is that a seismic shift in Congressional voting intentions, or are you happy to see me?!” Others predicted that the incident could well form the inspiration of a sketch on SNL UK in the near future.

Not everyone was as amused or even convinced that the reflection accurately portrayed what was suggested. Someone argued against the idea and noted: “I’m willing to accept a TOYS”Я”US-style backwards ‘N’, but an upside-down T ruins it for me.”

Mirror has approached BBC for a comment

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Strictly fans complain ‘it doesn’t work’ as star shares how she truly feels about shake-up

A Strictly Come Dancing legend has aired viewers’ complaints about a major shake-up, revealing a jaw-dropping amount of fans said the show’s attempts at comedy did not work for them

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse, 36, who won the Glitterball trophy twice with Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey before leaving the BBC show in 2022, has pointed out an issue she has with the 2026 series, which many viewers have picked up on too.

Oti, whose older sister is judge Motsi Mabuse, discusses Strictly every weekend on her vodcast, The Fifth Judge, alongside husband Marius Iepure, who is also a professional dancer. The pair regularly invite their viewers to get involved in polls to share their thoughts on the latest episode.

On Saturday’s livestream, Oti and Marius asked their YouTube audience about the introduction of comedic skits between the dances. Oti wondered: “Do all the skits work for you? Do you like the jokes? Do you like when the judges are involved? Do you like when the pros are reading the social stuff, and they’re doing the ‘Emma and Joshy’ thing? Are you laughing?”.

The topic was brought up in response to last weekend’s Halloween Special, during which hosts Josh Widdicombe, 43, Emma Willis, 50, and Johannes Radebe, 39, featured in multiple comedy sketches throughout the programme.

These segments saw Josh and Emma attempting to frighten famously stern judge Craig Revel Horwood, 61, before the comedian let down his co-presenters by declining to wear fancy dress for trick-or-treating, while the contestants mimicked Johannes’ distinctive “Emma and Joshy” handover to his fellow hosts.

Following the chat vote, Oti disclosed that an overwhelming 75 per cent responded “no, they do not work, they do not find them funny”, while just 25 per cent answered “yes, they are hilarious”.

Oti observed in response: “Well, that’s very telling! It says that people, at this point, just want to get on with the dancing.”

The former Strictly champion and her husband echoed the sentiment from their audience, with Oti revealing that Marius believes “it’s a completely different show”.

Expanding on this point, Marius stated that elements of Strictly’s Halloween Special resembled “a comedy show that I didn’t ask for”, acknowledging he “laughed a little bit” at Josh, Emma and Johannes’ trick-or-treating sketch, though he also felt that it “was so long”.

Oti mentioned that one of their viewers, named Kate, had commented: “I don’t tend to laugh, but I think it’s part of the charm.”

The former Strictly pro proceeded to suggest that if BBC bosses have incorporated the sketches to pad out the programme, they could alternatively “cut the show shorter”, or integrate the Results Show into Saturday night’s broadcast, rather than screening it separately on Sundays, with Oti declaring: “That would be a great change.”

Viewers also took to X to have their say on the skits over the weekend, with one typing: “Stop trying to make every link funny! Especially when you involve the judges who fluff their lines. #Strictly.”

“They really, really need to cut these “comedy” sketches from Strictly. They are awful, awkward and really not funny at all,” another viewer complained.

A third fan said the presenters had improved, writing: “I have to be honest Josh, Emma, & Johannes are growing on me! #Strictly.”

A fourth agreed: “@bbc I think Emma, Jojo and Josh are growing into their roles – give them time! We’re loving them #Strictly.”

Strictly 2026 has sparked debate amongst audiences after Emma, Josh and Johannes took over from long-serving presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who confirmed their departure from the BBC programme last year.

Emma, who formerly presented Big Brother, has earned widespread acclaim from Strictly fans for her professionalism and presenting abilities, while Josh and Johannes have attracted more divided opinions. Not everyone shares those reservations, however.

Radio Times TV and podcast editor Caroline Frost believes the presenting trio have grown into their roles, stating: “I think it’s fair to say there were some bumps in the road in the first couple of episodes, but they do appear to be very slowly relaxing into their new roles.”

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Celebrity Traitors star reveals ‘military’ procedure BBC take to sneak stars out of Scottish castle

JOANNE McNally has revealed the regimental methods used to remove banished players from The Celebrity Traitors castle.

Asked by Vogue Williams on their podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, Joanne explained precisely what happens once they are asked to leave the round table.

Celebrity Traitors stars are subjected to a ‘military’ procedure when they are banished from the castle Credit: PA
Joanne McNally has revealed the regimental methods used to remove banished players from The Celebrity Traitors castle Credit: BBC

“When you leave, what happens? You just left and go home?” asked Vogue.

“So you get off the podium, they rush you out the side door and you’re bundled into a van like Whitney Houston in the Bodyguard,” Joanne explained. “You have a little backpack there, it’s like an emergency backpack in the castle at all times so that if it’s the night that you do go you have your essentials.

“And then you’re taken to a different hotel.”

Joanne – who was banished on the penultimate episode of the second season of The Celebrity Traitors, after the other players wrongfully accused her of conspiring against the Faithful – explained that she was then sent back to the castle the next day.

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Joanne explained that she was then sent back to the castle the next day Credit: BBC
The Celebrity Traitors came to a dramatic close on Friday night Credit: BBC

“You actually have a full day’s work to do in the castle because you have to do all your B-shots and there was a video of me in the bath, so it’s all that stuff and your final interviews.

“I always wondered why in the castle if you needed to go to the bathroom or anything it’s this big kind of production.

“It’s because they have to make sure the castle is clear and there’s not people who’ve been banished the night before because they were in the castle doing all their extra last bits of work.

“So they were making sure no one crossed paths. It’s such a huge production and they run it so military!”

Meanwhile, co-star James Acaster has revealed the moment he “should have walked out” of the show before filming was halted.

The comedian left viewers shocked in the penultimate episode when he changed the whole game by outing himself as a Traitor in a tense round table – after Michael Sheen pointed the finger at him and Maya Jama.

James’ shock admission that he was a Celebrity Traitor on the show left him so distraught filming was halted.

Welfare staff checked on the comic before the Round Table vote but he crumbled as Faithful Michael Sheen finally ­rumbled him — forcing producers to step in.

Now, James has revealed that he had considered quitting the castle even earlier in the series, when the celebs took part in a mission that forced them to be buried alive in coffins.

James shared that he was “really scared” during the coffin mission and should have gotten out then.

He told Far Out Magazine: “I was lying there thinking, actually, I think I’m really scared of this. As soon as the soil was heaped on top, Bella did say, ‘Imagine if they can’t get us out.”

During the mission, Jerry Hall decided to quit the mission, and James said: “She didn’t like it. She didn’t like, well, none of us liked it. 

“I respect Jerry the most because Jerry just went, ‘I’m not doing this.’ Like, are you kidding me? And the rest of us were just like, ‘We want to win Traitors in our coffins, idiots.’

“We should have just done what – as soon as I heard Jerry got out, I should have said to Bella, ‘I’m getting out, forget it.’ If it’s a free-for-all now, we should all get out. They can’t stop us all. We could all do it.”

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This City Is Ours fans must watch ‘greatest UK crime drama series of all time’

This City is Ours fans are urged to watch a crime drama that has been praised by viewers as potentially “the greatest UK crime drama series of all time”.

A “gripping” crime drama with “sublime acting” could be the next stop for This City Is Ours fans.

Netflix’s London-set thriller has been hailed a must-watch for This City is Ours fans. The five-season series shares much of the twisty Liverpool drama’s appeal, from fraught loyalties and friendships to struggles for power in the criminal underworld. Praising Top Boy, the series in question, one fan wrote on IMDb: “S3 is hands down the best series of them all without a shadow of a doubt. If not, the greatest UK crime drama series of all time.”

The comparison has also struck a chord with viewers of This City Is Ours. One IMDb reviewer praised James Nelson-Joyce’s performance in the BBC drama before writing: “The series feels quite similar to Top Boy in some ways, but with a Liverpool setting.”

With BBC viewers gripped by This City Is Ours’ second run, those who have already watched it on iPlayer may be looking for another crime drama to get stuck into. Here are three shows exploring the tensions and power struggles that make gangland stories so compelling, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Top Boy

Top Boy originally aired on Channel 4 before Netflix revived it. Across five seasons, the British crime thriller follows drug dealers Dushane, played by Ashley Walters, and Sully, played by Kane Robinson, as they navigate drug dealing and gang violence in London.

The series earned critical acclaim for its writing, performances and authenticity, picking up numerous BAFTA awards and nominations. Like This City Is Ours, it examines loyalty, friendship and hierarchy, and the fallout when those bonds are tested.

The IMDb reviewer who praised its third season also wrote: “This show is literally breathtaking. Gripping throughout. Brutal. It catches you from the get-go and really makes you FEEL. You relate and feel what every character is feeling. The plot is thrilling. The acting is sublime.”

Gangs of London

Sky series Gangs of London, also available on Netflix, is an action crime drama based on the video game of the same name. It follows bitter power struggles between rival gangs and criminal organisations across the capital.

Much like the Phelans in This City Is Ours, the Wallaces are a powerful crime family. When their patriarch is killed, London’s criminal underworld is plunged into chaos.

One IMDb reviewer wrote: “Best gang-related TV series I’ve seen in years, the fight and gun scenes have been directed and filmed superbly, and it’s also extremely well written. My advice is, if you like this kinda thing, you’ll end up binge-watching Gangs of London.”

Kin

Available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer, Kin is an Irish crime drama about a Dublin family embroiled in a brutal gangland war. Production on a third season began in July 2026. Aidan Gillen and Ciarán Hinds play rival gang leaders Frank Kinsella and Eamon Cunningham respectively.

Like This City Is Ours, the show explores the battle for power and the extreme measures people will take to stay at the top. It quickly became one of Ireland’s most-watched series after its release.

One IMDb reviewer wrote: “Kin has to go down as one of the best series I’ve seen in this genre and sits alongside Top Boy for me. Character’s brilliant portrayed and expertly drags you into the murky world of the extended Kinsella family and Dublin’s underworld with a storyline that twists and turns.

“The actors combine in a fluent way which has you hating someone one moment and then thinking ‘maybe I was wrong about you’. Thankfully most of us will never experience a family life like it but you’ll love watching theirs.”

This City is Ours is streaming on BBC iPlayer, with episodes also airing weekly on BBC One on Sundays and Mondays

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Stars of hit BBC sitcom Motherland to go head-to-head this Christmas as rival mums land roles in festive TV ads

THEY rarely saw eye to eye at the school gates in hit BBC ­sitcom Motherland.

And now its stars Anna Maxwell Martin and Lucy Punch go head-to-head in a battle of the Christmas TV ads.

Lucy Punch, in Amandaland, is set to be the face of the coveted M&S festive ­campaign Credit: BBC
Anna Maxwell Martin is the star of this year’s Tesco Christmas advert Credit: Tesco

Line Of Duty actress Anna is the star of this year’s Tesco Christmas advert, while Lucy is set to be the face of the coveted M&S festive ­campaign.

Anna, who played beleaguered Julia in Motherland, is faced with a Christmas crisis playing Lizzie in the Tesco commercial, when she accidentally orders her food to be delivered to an old address.

However Tesco delivery driver Polly, played by Roisin Conaty, offers to help her old school friend make sure that Christmas dinner makes it to the table in time for the big day.

Anna said: “We’ve all been there. In the stress to get everything perfect at Christmas, suddenly you realise you’ve somehow only ordered one singular sprout, totally ­forgotten wrapping paper or sent a delivery to the wrong address.

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“I’m really pleased to be part of a production that acknowledges that while we can all strive for our ‘perfect’ Christmas, it is in fact human connection that truly helps to make Christmas magic.”

I previously revealed how Lucy — best known as Amanda in Motherland and its spin-off, Amandaland — is set to be the face of M&S’s first ever joint fashion and food festive promo.

She will replace comic Dawn French, who has featured in the chain’s TV food ads since 2022.

A source said: “Amandaland is one of the most popular shows on telly right now, and bosses thought it would be really fun to cast Lucy in their Christmas ad to promote both their food and fashion ranges.”

Tesco delivery driver Polly is played by Roisin Conaty Credit: Tesco
Anna and Lucy go head-to-head in a battle of the Christmas TV ads Credit: Alamy

Comedian Roisin also has a link to last year’s Waitrose Christmas adverts, which starred Joe Wilkinson’s love-struck character Phil, who falls in love with Keira Knightley.

Roisin and Joe played couple Roxy and Pat in Ricky Gervais’s hit Netflix series Afterlife.

Never mind TV Christmas specials — it’s clear the ads are now the real stars of the show.

DOM’S TOUCH OF CLASS

Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai in ITV series Adultery Credit: ITV

DOMINIC COOPER has given an insight into the sizzling sex scenes on ITV series Adultery.

The Mamma Mia! actor and Romola Garai play the roles of Tom and Beth, who have an affair in the six-episode series after meeting through their teenage children.

Of the steamy scenes, Dominic praised the intimacy co-ordinators, saying: “They have helped tremendously in what are such difficult bits of the film, and they put them together beautifully.

“They really do understand it because they have studied it and a little touch can mean so much more.

“Before you used to see two actors go, ‘Well, this is what I do at home’. Then they just jump on.”

IT’S ALL FRIGHT ON THE NIGHT

Pete Wicks and Olivia Attwood ­transformed into Gotham City baddies The Joker and his sidekick Harley Quinn in London’s ­Covent Garden this week Credit: Splash
Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham gave Tarzan and Jane a run for their money as they dressed up for Halloween Credit: Instagram
Rita Ora paid homage to Dolly parton for a Halloween bash in New York and Fearne Cotton posed in a wacky brain costume Credit: Getty
Fearne Cotton posed in a wacky brain costume Credit: fearnecotton/Instagram
Kelly Osbourne looked unrecognisable in a catsuit as she joined pals at Annabel’s in the capital Credit: Getty
Sir Rod Stewart put his glad rags on to step out as a dapper Prince Charming Credit: Getty
Comic Leigh Francis did his best padded He-Man impression for a London party Credit: Getty
Amanda Holden looked super-scary as she dressed up as Netflix axe ‘killer’ Lizzie Borden from hit ­ crime drama Monster Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

BROOKLYN and Nicola Peltz Beckham gave Tarzan and Jane a run for their money as they dressed up for Halloween.

David and ­Victoria Beckham’s eldest son and his actress wife posed in ­matching leopard print.

Meanwhile, Pete Wicks and Olivia Attwood ­transformed into Gotham City baddies The Joker and his sidekick Harley Quinn in London’s ­Covent Garden this week.

Amanda Holden looked super-scary as she dressed up as Netflix axe “killer” Lizzie Borden from hit ­ crime drama Monster.

Elsewhere Rita Ora paid homage to Dolly parton for a Halloween bash in New York and Fearne Cotton posed in a wacky brain costume.

Comic Leigh Francis did his best padded He-Man impression for a London party, while Kelly Osbourne looked unrecognisable in a catsuit as she joined pals at Annabel’s in the capital, where Sir Rod Stewart put his glad rags on to step out as a dapper Prince Charming.

X FACTOR TEEN FOR HARRYWEEN

Harry Styles went back to his roots on Friday as he recreated his X Factor audition for Halloween Credit: Supplied
Harry performed Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely – the same song he used to impress Simon Cowell and Co at his audition in 2010 Credit: Ken McKay

HARRY STYLES went back to his roots on Friday as he recreated his X Factor audition for Halloween.

The As It Was singer transformed into his 16-year-old self, wearing the same grey cardigan and scarf, to go on stage during his 30-night residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Harry performed Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely – the same song he used to impress Simon Cowell and Co at his audition in 2010.

And he delighted fans at his sold-out gig by using the same introduction he gave judges 16 years ago: “I work in a bakery. I’m 16.”

Harry was eventually put together with Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson to form boyband One Direction.

Harry’s actress fiancée Zoe Kravitz was seen in a red devil outfit in a nod to spooky season, dancing in the crowd alongside the singer’s mum Anne Twist, who was dressed as Disney’s Maleficent.

The pair were joined by Elvis Presley’s granddaughter Riley Keough.


Tje Gentlemen star Michelle Morrone has joined a subscription site to offer fans an exclusive glimpse into his off-screen life Credit: Matt Towers/Netflix

THE Gentlemen star Michelle Morrone has joined a subscription site to offer fans an exclusive glimpse into his off-screen life.

The Italian actor shared topless snaps with his 16million online ­followers to announce he has joined the platform subs.com, in which he is an investor alongside beauty Megan Fox.

He wrote on Instagram: “Everyone thinks they know me. Through films, photographs, brands, music, social media . . .  But the truth is, you’ve only seen one part of me. And I’ve decided to open that door for you.”

He added: “I want to create something different. A private space where we can be closer.”

Michele is currently starring alongside US actress Sydney Sweeney in sequel The Housemaid’s Secret, which is set for release next year.

PHOENIX’S NEXT STEP IS SCARY

Phoenix Chi Gulzar Brown, left, and pal Sofie out for Halloween celebration Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

SHE may want to shake off the nepo baby tag, but Phoenix Chi Gulzar Brown is following in the footsteps of her mum Mel B.

Speaking at the VIP night of Tulleys Shocktober Fest in ­Crawley, she said: “I’m going to be releasing music soon, I’m not just a DJ.” And she means business.

“This summer I decided to take it seriously, and I got in the studio and spoke to a few people and I like what I’m ­making,” she said. “It’ll be groovy and funky stuff.

“I’ll be doing a bit of producing and singing, there’ll be a few surprises in there.”

A collaboration with her mum might seem an obvious move, but getting Scary Spice to commit is ­proving tricky.

Phoenix said: “I’m going to do my best to get my mum in the studio for a collaboration but she’s a woman of her own. She says no to everyone – including me.”

But one person firmly backing her musical ambitions is her events executive pal Sofie Noah. Sofie said: “It’s f***ing epic.”

She then teased: “She’s got a good voice, with a bit of Autotune.”

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Strictly Come Dancing live: Halloween Week outfits revealed with Craig as a devil

It’s Halloween and our remaining 11 celebs are sinking their teeth into a spooky line-up of fresh dances on Strictly Come Dancing.

This week there’s a cameo from Sir Ian McKellen during the results show, Nikita Kuzmin as a vampire and there are two unexpectedly brutal twists.

For Halloween, three couples will be in the dance-off instead of the usual two and when one couple gets sent backing the judges will be voting to eliminate them, rather than save.

It’s getting brutal and we’ll be following tonight’s Strictly every quickstep of the way.

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BBC £180 TV Licence rules to get refund – full list of those entitled

TV Licensing guidance offers details on how people could be entitled to a refund on their £180 TV Licence

Paying for a TV Licence is one of those things in life few people enjoy but must accept as just a rule you have to follow. A standard TV Licence will set you back £180.

But what not everyone realises that there are circumstances where that sum you’ve forked out can be refunded. If that happens, there is a process to go through, TV Licensing explains – and how much you might get in a repayment depends on certain factors.

Why would you be able to claim a refund, you might wonder. Well, if you do not need a licence any more before the one you have runs out, you can make a request for a refund – as long as there is at least 1 full month left on it.

Furthermore, if you meet the criteria for an over-75 concession, or for a blind concession, you can make a claim for a refund. And in those circumstances, you can do so at any point, regardless if how long you have left on your licence.

The TV Licensing website says: “Working out precise refund amounts can be complicated. But we will do it for you. We’ll look carefully at the information you give us and let you know if we can offer you a refund, and how much it will be.”

If you do not any longer need your licence, and it is found that you are eligible for a refund payment, the TV Licensing officials will make a calculation based on when the licence you have was issued, and when it expires.

Refunds are calculated in unused months. The rules say you could get a refund for anywhere between one and 11 months, depending on your situation.

If you want to sit down and look into when your licence expiry date is, it’s pretty simple to do so. Just sign to the TV Licensing website with your licence number, name and postcode.

If they decide that your claim is valid, and a refund payment is agreed, your licence ends at once.

Here is the full list of people who may be entitled to a refund on their TV Licence:

  • The address is covered by another licence
  • refunds for those who qualify for a blind concession
  • TV receiving equipment is no longer in use
  • Refunds in consequence of a free TV Licence application – payments are made for each complete month remaining on the current licence.
  • TV Licence is bought in error
  • refunds for those who do not need it before it runs out and there is at least one month left on it
  • Refunds due to the death of the licence holder
  • A replacement TV Licence has been bought
  • refunds for those who qualify for over-75 concession

For more on refund rules on TV Licences and for information on who might qualify, go to the relevant section of the TV Licensing website here.

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‘Brutal’ horror film leaves BBC fans unsure if they should laugh or cry

Horror fans say the film based on a classic short story is one of the goriest they’ve ever seen

Another gruesome adaptation is now available for free.

The ‘brutal’ horror film is leaving viewers unsure whether or not they should laugh or cry. Either way it is leaving many audience members in tears.

It comes as the movie The Monkey has been made available on BBC iPlayer in time for Halloween. The film was written and directed for the screen by Oz Perkins, who also helmed the 2024 horror release Longlegs, which coincidentally is also keeping BBC viewers gripped this spooky season.

The Monkey is actually based on a short story written by acclaimed author Stephen King, the same writer behind original stories that served as inspiration for hit adaptations such as Carrie, Salem’s Lot, The Long Walk, The Running Man and IT just to name a few.

Perkins actually features in the cast himself as Uncle Chip, alongside Downton Abbey and The Gentlemen star Theo James in a dual role as twins Bill and Hal. The stacked line-up also included Black Orphan’s Tatiana Maslany, Lord of the Rings actor Elijah Wood and Severance star Adam Scott.

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According to its synopsis, when twin brothers find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tears their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree, forcing the estranged siblings to confront the cursed toy.

Upon its original cinema release back in 2025, it mostly impressed critics, earning a respectable 77% score on website Rotten Tomatoes. One critic underlined the film’s central performance and shock value as they said: “A riotous hoot that’s delightfully wicked, especially thanks to a gloriously unhinged Theo James.”

Many fans were also just as impressed and many called out the gruesomeness of the film. One person posted online: “I can’t fully articulate why this is the best movie I’ve seen in a decade, but it just is.

“The movie combines the seriousness and light-heartedness of life and death. It shows how life has so much meaning and is simultaneously so meaningless. The movie leaves me feeling comforted in knowing that I’m not alone in wondering whether or not I should laugh or cry at it all.”

Another admitted: “My mouth was agape, and even more so after looking at how little the estimated budget was. This movie was probably one of the goriest movies I’ve seen, and if I’m honest the gore was a little over the top however that played into the comedy elements perfectly.”

Someone else added: “It reminded me very much of the Final Destination movies and that just made me love this movie even more. I don’t think there was a single moment of this movie I didn’t enjoy in either the comedy or horror aspects. Was definitely worth my time and money to go see. 10/10.”

The Monkey is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

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I visited a stunning UK seaside town in autumn and ate the best chips ever

This charming coastal suburb is just an approximately 15-minute bus ride from a major city centre and should be the next addition to your autumn travel plans

A coastal suburb located just a 15-minute journey from a major UK city deserves a place on your autumn travel list. Even with the cooler temperatures, a seaside trip is still a brilliant way to unwind and clear your head, and nothing quite compares to the breathtaking views across the water.

Last October, I spent a day exploring Portobello near Edinburgh on a bright but cold day, and I’m annoyed with myself for not making the trip earlier. With a thriving high street packed with independent shops, mouth-watering food options, and superb public transport links, it’s a perfect destination if you fancy exploring somewhere a little different.

A quick 15-minute bus journey from the city centre brought us straight into the town’s centre, and it was instantly clear that this location had something special about it.

Naturally, our first stop was a bracing stroll along the seafront. The weather was lovely and bright, though cold, but it felt quite refreshing following the hour-long train journey from Glasgow.

Portobello’s beach extends for two miles, featuring a Victorian-style promenade and vistas across the Firth of Forth. Being a sunny Sunday morning, it was fairly busy, with plenty of families enjoying walks and dogs happily racing across the sand.

The first aspect that caught my attention about the beach was how spotless it looked. It’s obvious that the residents of Portobello, or ‘Porty’ as it’s affectionately known, take huge pride in their surroundings.

I can’t help but wish I’d visited during the summer, as it’s easy to picture Portobello as a brilliant spot for sunbathing and maybe even a refreshing dip in the sea.

In 2024, Portobello was named the UK’s second-best coastal town by JoJo Maman Bebe, and its beach bagged a Keep Scotland Beautiful award, which really proves its charm.

Having worked up quite an appetite after our stroll along the shoreline, we turned our attention to the selection of eateries and pubs lining the seafront, ranging from massive pizza slices at Civerino’s to brunch and coffee at The Beach House.

Many of these venues offer outdoor seating, meaning you can dine pretty much on the beach itself — a truly lovely touch.

We went for Shrimp Wreck, a seafood spot boasting a small but enticing menu. This street food stall shot to fame after appearing on BBC’s My Million Pound Menu and is well known for its fish finger sandwiches — it even reached the finals of the Birds Eye Fish Finger Sandwich Awards in 2017.

Naturally, I went for the dish everyone’s been talking about. The battered flaky fish fillets, mushy peas and quite possibly the best chips I’ve ever eaten, all tucked into a soft roll, was without doubt the messiest meal I could have chosen — but I wouldn’t change a thing.

Next up was a proper wander along the high street where we’d been dropped off by the bus. Tucked just behind the promenade, it was quieter than the beach itself, yet there were still plenty of folk about — and, importantly, plenty of shops open for business.

One of the standouts for me was discovering The Portobello Bookshop, a charming independent bookshop packed to the brim with novels, cookbooks and a whole lot more. The shop itself was bright, welcoming and cosy — exactly the sort of place where you could lose yourself for hours.

They also put on events, including Q&As with authors, so it’s well worth checking what’s coming up if you’re planning a trip.

Cove is another spot not to be missed if you’re a lover of a good gift shop. It was absolutely bursting with all kinds of trinkets, from Jellycat toys to candles and shampoo bars, alongside gorgeous cards and irresistible chocolate bars.

Portobello’s high street may not be the biggest you’ll ever walk down, but it’s definitely one of the most charming. There’s a solid selection of food and drink spots, pubs and even an Aldi, so you’re unlikely to be stuck for choice.

One place we didn’t quite get round to, and which I’m already keen to revisit, is the swim centre. Tucked away in Portobello, you’ll find a genuine Victorian Turkish bath — one of only 11 remaining in the UK — alongside a gym and fitness studio, making it a firm fixture on my list for next time.

If you’ve yet to explore Portobello, it really is a brilliant spot for a weekend escape, even as the temperatures begin to drop. Its closeness to the bustling city of Edinburgh makes it an ideal spot for anyone craving a breather from city life, with plenty of food, drink and relaxation on offer.

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Celebrity Traitors LIVE: James Acaster cracks under the pressure as he ‘breaks show rules’

James on his exit

“The idea of doing that got me through the whole experience because you feel as a Traitor sometimes, when you see people have real life reactions that are bigger than the game, you feel bad, and I would have to remind myself they don’t have a game without you, literally, if no one’s doing this stuff, they can’t play, and they all want to play,” he said.
“So you are doing an important job here, so they all have something to do, and when they catch you, they’ll be really happy and they’ll like it, and it will feel good to just tell them and see that reaction.”

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Celebrity Traitors viewers say series is ‘doomed’ after 1 move Claudia Winkleman made

The latest series of Celebrity Traitors has been nothing short of chaos with fiery roundtables and a traitor who simply couldn’t resist revealing his fate in the opening episode

Celebrity Traitors is back on tonight as BBC viewers learn who is set to be banished, will it be Joanne McNally or Sharon Rooney? But with both faithfuls in the firing line, we can only imagine it’ll be sheer disappoint in Thursday’s show.

Of course the three Traitors also appear to be stronger than ever – with Maya Jama, King Kenny and James Acaster all voted the most trustworthy in their latest mission. As a result, Celebrity Traitors host Claudia Winkleman handed Kenny the all-important double vote to use at the roundtable. But while the faithfuls are yet to suspect either of them as a traitor, some fans believe a decision Claudia made at the beginning instantly killed off the game.

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In a post on Reddit, one person labelled this season as “great TV” while someone else claimed choosing Maya as a traitor wasn’t a good choice.

They added: “This series was doomed when they cast Maya Jama as a traitor.” Claiming to be a “huge Traitors fan”, they also said they’re not fussed about this year’s winner.

Someone else claimed the presenter has made “terrible traitor choices”, with the exception of Kenny. They continued: “I get that she’s a traitor and thus obviously wants to sabotage and weaken the faithfuls, and she should!

“But at the same time, from a viewership perspective, if there’s not a single competent faithful and it seems too easy for the traitors, it’s not an interesting watch.

“She couldn’t have predicted just how bad this series’ faithfuls are, but still, I mourn for the alternate season we could’ve had if potentially competent faithfuls like Hannah and James A weren’t recruited.”

But in the main post, the viewer wondered why this season is “getting so much stick”. They added: “It’s great TV. People getting upset because it’s not turning out the way they wanted it… it’s reality TV. It could have 100s of different outcomes. That’s life.”

Another agreed: “Yeah I’ve loved it so far, it’s been really fun.” A third commented: “The show is fine. The viewers are the problem,” while a fourth chimed in: “I’ve enjoyed it. It’s not as funny as last year’s but I’m into it and I care about the result. I really want a 3-traitor win!”

Later tonight we’ll see who will be banished from the castle – will it be Joanne or Sharon?

Celebrity Traitors will be back on at 8pm tonight on BBC One and again tomorrow at the same time.

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‘The Traitors will have to turn against another one’ as former star teases huge twist

EXCLUSIVE: The Celebrity Traitors is heating up with the semi-final airing tonight, but a former star believes that one of the Traitors will have to turn on another, in a huge twist

A former star of The Traitors has predicted a major twist. Tonight’s episode will see at least one Faithful banished from the castle, in yet another devastating blow for the Faithful.

So far, only two Traitors have been banished from Ardross Castle, leaving the team of Faithful shrinking by the day. In yet another twist, the Faithful unknowingly branded the three Traitors – Maya Jama, James Acaster and King Kenny the most trustworthy stars.

But what they didn’t know was that Kenny was later given a chilling double vote for the roundtable, after he and his fellow Traitors worked out who their next victims would be. This series has seen Maya come out on top, with many of her banished and murdered co-stars believing that she could potentially win the programme.

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Former contestant Andrew Jenkins, who appeared on series two of the BBC show, also believes that Maya could go all the way. “Maya Jama has 100 per cent got what it takes, and all of them, to be honest,” he said. He went on to add: “The three traitors have all got a good case because they’ve all been voted the most trustworthy, so they’re all doing really well.”

However, Andrew believes the Traitors will turn on one another before tomorrow night’s final. He commented: “I think the biggest obstacle is going to be that they turn against each other. I think one of them will have to turn against the other one. But they’ve got no heat on them from any of the faithful. So I think Maya Jama is playing a really good game.”

But after James A refused to take part in a task which would benefit the Traitors last week, Andrew says he empathises with the comedian. Both James and Andrew started off on the show as Faithful, before being recruited by The Traitors. “You’re trying to play so many games,” he said.

Speaking in connection with Buzz Bingo, Andrew went on to add: “You’re trying to take the heat off you, you’re trying to be part of a team, and it’s hard trying to juggle it all. So I do understand. I can see it from both sides of the fence. And yeah, he probably has put a bit of a target on his back now. Do Maya and King Kenny trust him now? So he could be hung out to dry now.”

This year has also seen increased paranoia in the castle, with EastEnders hardman Ross Kemp initially fearing he’d been murdered after a co-star merely touched him. However, he was later murdered in plain sight by James A and Maya, who bored him so much he yawned.

“It’s hard,” Andrew said of the paranoia inside the castle, adding: “It is really hard. You get paranoid because you’ve seen previous series. You know how other people have been murdered, so you’re going to suspect things. Nobody wants to drink from any cups; nobody wants to do anything. You get really paranoid.”

Tonight will disclose whether the brutal roundtable voted in favour of Joanne McNally or Sharon Rooney being banished from the castle, as the Faithful and Traitors once again go head to head ahead of tomorrow’s final.

The Traitors airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8pm.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.



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BBC Sport weekly quiz: What league are Fleetwood in?

So much has happened over the past seven days, including cupsets, the Ballon d’Or ceremony and a very strange player-of-the-match prize.

About 11% of quizzers got full marks in last week’s edition. Will you make the grade this week?

After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.

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