MAYA Jama has revealed who of her co-stars from The Celebrity Traitors she would select to be her fellow Traitor if she was in charge of choosing.
The TV star, who was paired with Richard E Grant, Hannah Fry, James Acaster and King Kenny as Traitors across the recent season, kept herself in the mix, as well as just one of the others.
Maya Jama has revealed who of her co-stars from The Celebrity Traitors she would select to be her fellow Traitor if she was in charge of choosing – and King Kenny isn’t one of themCredit: Instagram/kingkennytvKing Kenny, Maya Jama and James Acaster were three of the five Traitors on the second season of the celeb version of the showCredit: BBC
The third may shock fans.
Speaking to Elle, she said: “If I could go right back to the beginning and pick my own three traitors, I would pick me.
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“I think Richard I would keep and just delete the fact that he told everyone he was a Traitor.
“And Miranda I think would have been great if she was chosen from day one.”
“I think Richard I would keep and just delete the fact that he told everyone he was a Traitor,” Maya saidCredit: PA“If I could go right back to the beginning and pick my own three traitors, I would pick me,” she saidCredit: BBCSome might be surprised to hear she’d choose Miranda Hart over King Kenny, who she grew close to on the show – and who was spotted partying the night away at her Halloween bashCredit: SplashThe final of The Celebrity Traitors aired on Friday nightCredit: PA
Some might be surprised to hear she’d choose Miranda Hart over King Kenny, who she grew close to on the show.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Maya let her fellow traitor Kenny stay at her £1.5 million North London flat for two nights — including the tense finale on Friday night.
After wrapping up with his fellow contestants, Kenny was spotted arriving back at Maya’s pad in time to watch the show air on BBC1 at 8pm.
Pictures shared by both celebs on the same day appeared to show the same curtains in the background, believed to be in Maya’s home.
But despite Maya hosting Kenny at her home, a source close to Maya said that romance is “not on the cards”.
The source said: “Maya and Kenny are just friends. There is nothing romantic between them.
“Kenny has been firmly on the sofa this week and the pair find it hilarious that their relationship could be anything else.
“They’ve seen fans of the show talking about them online and find it really funny, but romance has not and is not on the cards.
“Maya has a group of friends staying with her at the moment and Kenny has also been coming to hang out with them.
“They’ve all been watching the Traitors final together, as well as getting their costumes ready for the Halloween party tonight.
“They are genuinely really good friends and built a stronger bond through being on Traitors together.
“Maya is single and enjoying spending time with her friends as well as working right now.”
The comedian’s bombshell the previous night did provide the programme with a twist to spark it to life after what some viewers saw as a mid-series lull.
On Thursday, the Hollywood Reporter noted, external that the show had achieved record-breaking ratings – before asking: “Why, then, has much of the consensus on social media been that it’s all felt a bit dull?”
Some noted a shortage of true back-stabbing, double-crossing and explosive rows – the things, in other words, that viewers love the most – while the celebrities were more chummy and savvy than previous groups of castle dwellers.
And while there was no shortage of big characters, this season lacked an equivalent to Alan Carr, the hugely popular and apparently hapless comedian who lied and murdered his way to an unlikely victory as a traitor last year.
The drama ramped up in the final, though, and Friday’s episode is likely to have been the most watched TV programme of the year.
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan and actor Sebastian Croft have won the 2026 series of The Celebrity Traitors following a very dramatic final episode, which saw James Blunt sabotage himself
22:47, 30 Oct 2026Updated 22:48, 30 Oct 2026
Romesh and Bash win Celebrity Traitors
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan and actor Sebastian Croft have won the 2026 series of The Celebrity Traitors as faithfuls.
The pair were the last two remaining at the firepit at the end of the BBC show with the players having voted out traitor and TV presenter Maya Jama during the final roundtable.
It had been quite the dramatic turn of events, with it ending with both players revealing their true identity. Sebastian – also known as Bash – said: “I began this game as a faithful, but I’m ending this game as a faithful.”
Romesh, who paused for dramatic effect, told his co-star: “Bash, I began this game as a faithful, and I’m ending this game as a faithful.” Both were thrilled to be faithfuls and secure the huge prize fund for their charities.
In an emotional scene, Sebastian said: “That was just incredible, this might actually be the best day of my life,” with Romesh adding: “I just really hope my mum’s proud, and also my youngest son Charlie, who wanted me to come on the show. Dad won, please show me some respect.”
It was a dramatic firepit – as all the players originally decided to banish again. Former Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock received the most votes and was booted out of the castle. It was then things took a turn.
Traitor Kenny opted to end the game but the other players chose to banish again, with Romesh gunning for James Blunt. It seemed like it was all going to end with an exit for James, but Bash’s decision to split the vote meant Kenny was booted out next.
Players were then given the option to banish again, with James choosing to banish again despite Romesh saying his conversation with Sebastian had changed his mind on whether he was a faithful or a traitor. Both Romesh and Sebastian voted James out.
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Sebastian said of his decision: “I believe you’re both faithful, and I’m sad to be in this predicament, and I’m sorry James because I truly believe that you’re a faithful, but I’m a man of my word, and so I’ve had to go for you.”
Earlier in the show, the final mission saw the teams tasked with finding two underground bunkers in the Scottish Highlands filled with gold, with one team boarding a helicopter and others getting into buggies. Once they found the bunkers they had to blow them up with dynamite.
To find the bunkers, the team in the buggies had to answer questions, before waving in the helicopter team to drop off the dynamite and detonator, with Jama, Croft and Pinnock hanging off the side of the helicopter to deliver the equipment. The group successfully found and detonated both bunkers, adding £18,500 to the prize pot, bringing it to £83,000.
After being voted out at the final roundtable, Maya did not reveal her identity as a traitor as per the rules for the last episode, but told her fellow players: “Thank you, alright, love you all, good luck, you’re going to need it.”
Actor Michael Sheen was murdered at the beginning of the final. After discovering his fate , he said: “The time has come, can’t say I’m surprised, but I am incredibly disappointed, gutted that I got so close to the end. It’s been absolutely unforgettable, and I’ve loved every minute.”
Heartstopper actor Sebastian said he would be donating his £41,500 half of the prize pot to the charity Choose Love, while Romesh said he would be giving his money to the Refugee Council.
The Celebrity Traitors have crowned their winners – as Sebastian Croft and Romesh Ranganathan took home the prize money for charity after last minute drama from James Blunt
“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.”
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
The trio of traitors were deemed the most trustworthy in the game(Image: BBC)
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.
Celebrity Traitors fans are sure bosses were forced to make a huge change to the BBC show after a ‘chaotic’ twist during last week’s mission
The Celebrity Traitors has been absolute chaos so far – and fans are sure bosses had to make a change(Image: BBC)
The Celebrity Traitors has been pure chaos so far – but not as much as it was in the last episode.
During the daily mission, the celebrities had to come together to find money for the prize fund, with one person handed a special power. Ironically, some of the Faithfuls chose the three Traitors – Maya Jama, King Kenny and James Acaster – as the most trustworthy and they were given a special power.
However, fans are now convinced that the chosen power had to be changed after the Faithfuls put their trust in all the Traitors. Kenny, Maya and James were asked who they wanted to give the power of a double vote to – known as the Dagger – and they ultimately decided Kenny should have the power.
It caused quite the chaos in the roundtable as the double vote from Kenny meant there was a tie. The celebrities had to vote again and we are still waiting to find out if Faithfuls Sharon or Joanne will be next to leave.
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Fans are sure the show had to be changed after the Faithfuls selected all three Traitors to go for the power. One fan theorised on Reddit: “I think the faithful picking the three traitors sparked both immediate chaos as they had to scramble to change the power to something that made sense.”
“If it was intended to be the Seer power I’d have preferred them to roll with it to be honest. It would’ve been interesting to hear the traitors strategise about how to use it,” another shared, adding: “Between themselves to ‘confirm’ one of the traitors as a definite faithful to the rest of the group? Would be fireworks if they (or the seer) were later revealed as a traitor.”
Another fan theorised that it could have been a power used in the North American series, which was called the “power of pardon”. The fan explained: “This power allows one player to save a player from banishment if they think they’re not a traitor.
“But then all three traitors got voted so they pivoted to the dagger. The pardon wouldn’t work because no traitor would use it so no suspense.”
Other fans were convinced it could have originally been the power to ask the Traitors a question like Faithfuls Harriet and Matt (and Traitor Rachel) were allowed to do in the fourth civilian series.
The Traitors will return tomorrow night, where we will find out who gets banished at the roundtable – and if all three Traitors can make it all the way to the final.
Celebrity Traitors finalist Nick Mohammed has shared how isolating it was to film the show amid monitored phone calls with his children and limited downtime
Nick Mohammed on Celebrity Traitors(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
Speaking with Jessie and Lennie Ware on their Table Manners podcast, the actor described the isolation of filming, sharing that he was only permitted to have one call with his children a day and that those chats had to be monitored.
Nick, 46, said: “I was allowed once a day to FaceTime them, but only with the producers listening into the phone calls.” He added that this was “because if anything gets out, the game was over”.
“So that was the most difficult thing, and not being able to tell them exactly when I would be going because I didn’t know, and I could be back in 48 hours. I could be gone in three weeks, which turned out I was.”
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He continued to say that the celebs “downtime” was limited: “You didn’t get that much downtime, really. […] It looks in the programme like you get in those cars and go off, but it’s a more elaborate way out of the castle because they don’t want you to see who’s going in what direction. You’re actually in a holding area and dismissed at random, so you have no way of knowing whether someone’s been dismissed early and what that might mean.”
The Ted Lasso star was a Faithful on the show and made it all the way to the final. Though fellow Faithful Joe Marler was suspicious of Traitor Alan, Nick and David Olusoga both thought it was Joe who was the final Traitor and voted him off. As such, Alan won the game, stealing the prize pot for his chosen charity. Alan’s win won a BAFTA for most Memorable Moment.
Nick shared that he almost felt as though it had “never happened”. He explained: “It’s such a strange thing because we filmed it over April and May of last year, and then it didn’t come out till October of that year. So there is a good sort of four or five months where you can’t talk about it. You can’t give anything away, and you are not doing press for it because everything’s embargoed. So to a degree, it almost feels like it never happened. […] And you’ve got no access to the outside world, or you don’t have your phone on you, or anything like that during it.”
This year’s cohort have faced similar conditions concerning contact with the outside world. In a recent interview with The Times, current Traitor James Acaster shared that he was told off by the production team after a conversation with his partner. He said: “You can’t have an authentic conversation because you can’t tell them anything that’s happening.
“At one point my partner said, ‘Have you caught the sun?’ I was saying, ‘Oh yeah, we were outside for one of the missions.’ I was told I couldn’t even tell her that.”
He added that it was “just a game” and that the production team should remember that. His words were criticised by Richard Osman and Marina Hyde on their podcast. The former Pointless star said: “When James says it’s just a game and the production team would do well to remember that, the thing is it’s not just a game, it’s a television show about a game.
“And I am absolutely certain that they would have overstepped lines which the talent would rather they hadn’t overstepped because their job is incredibly difficult and you need to keep things as tight as you possibly can.”
Marina agreed: “You can’t call your family because you’ve been told in the rubric of the show before you go on it and before you sign the contract that that’s part of the game….You’ve got to toughen up.
“You’re being paid 40 grand for like 10 days work or something and you’re doing it for disadvantaged people so try and remember your chosen charity and just push it down.”
Another celebrity guest will enter the Big Brother house this week
Big Brother viewers are begging for a huge twist this week(Image: ITV)
Big Brother fans are calling for a huge twist that could spark carnage in the famous house.
ITV has finally confirmed that American reality star Tiffany Pollard will be entering the show this week, 10 years after her iconic appearance on Celebrity Big Brother. She is the latest famous face to join this year’s civilian series as part of Big Brother string of twists.
However, viewers are calling for another shake-up that could make Tiffany’s time on the show even more entertaining. Fans have gathered online to beg show bosses to bring fellow American housemate Johanne back into the house at the same time as Tiffany. Viewers seem to think the duo would bring even more “drama” to the season.
Taking to social media, one fan begged: “Please can we get Johanne back in there,” another agreed: “Send Johanne back in pleaseeeeeee.”
A third shared the same opinion: “Put Johanne back in that house for a day or two.” Even 2025 housemate Cameron Kinch joined the discussion, commenting: “I wish Joanne was still there, her and Tiffany would be phenomenal!”
Someone else replied: “absolutely! Why BB hasn’t thought this up I do not know. Perhaps they don’t want to cause too much of drama!”
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Yet another viewer chimed in: “Tiffany coming in now is such a waste. Imagine the carnage if she went in while Johanne and Pauline were still there #BBUK.” And a final person added: “TIFFANY POLLARD IN THE HOUSE WITHOUT JOHANNE IS DAYLIGHT ROBBERY!!!! #BBUK.”
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Johanne was evicted from the house after weeks of clashing with her housemates. Although she wasn’t hugely popular among her co-stars, the ITV star had garnered support from viewers at home. It’s unclear how long Tiffany will be staying in the house but past guests have spent just a few nights on the show.
The winner of Big Brother 2026 will be announced in the live final set to air on Thursday, November 5 followed by a Big Brother: The Reunion on Friday, November 6.
Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
Comedian and TV star Miranda Hart had years of illness but became a fan favourite on Celebrity Traitors with her hilarious TV comeback, before being murdered by the Traitors
Miranda Hart says Celebrity Traitors has got her life back on track with joy
Miranda Hart fought back tears of sadness and joy when she left the Celebrity Traitors – as she explained the show was genuinely life changing for her. The 53-year-old fan’s favourite was murdered by the Traitors on the show tonight, and reacted by jokingly screwing up the piece of paper with her name on and saying “Bottoms! I knew it.”
But getting more serious, Miranda went on to explain how competing on the programme, her first major TV appearance for several years, meant a lot, having been bed-bound and housebound with chronic fatigue after being diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Getting emotional, she said: “Ultimately, in my little personal story, this has been quite extraordinary that I’ve been able to get back and do the thing that I love professionally and do the things that I love personally, like wandering around a Scottish highland and being in nature and laughing and connecting. There were times that I didn’t think that would be possible again.”
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And in an interview after the cameras had finished rolling, the actor and comedian went on to say she was fulfilled and satisfied after getting herself back to work and competing.
Asked for her proudest achievement, she explained: “I think just getting there and being part of it full stop. I have missed doing television so much and it has been a very hard road to get to a place after restricting long term illness to be fit enough to do something again.”
She added: “I think it’s a good thing that I wasn’t banished because my speech would have ended up being emotional and mushy. I would have told them how precious the connection and the joy and playfulness had meant after years of not being able to experience that, knowing that they are the most important things in life. And then no doubt the floodgates would have opened.
“I also would have tried to extend the reveal of what I was an absurdly long time. Anything for some more airtime!” Miranda has been an amusing presence throughout the series, including one memorable scene where she was recreating a Little Mix dance with former band member Leigh-Anne Pinnock. It was so dramatic and funny that it led actor Michael Sheen to wrongly believe it could be some kind of smokescreen for a murder plot. But it was just Miranda having the time of her life.
She recalled: “I love Leigh-Anne so much for making my Big Mix wish come true. Though I would like to apologise to all viewers for the dance – bosoms as menopausally wobbly as mine should not have been doing those moves.
“However, I would like to say to Little Mix that I am available and will go into training. When Michael[Sheen] suggested it could have been the way I had been murdered in plain sight I did in part want that to be true – what a way to go!”
Miranda said she loved the game but admitted it was intense and during filming she thought of nothing else, even dreaming one night she was married to Michael Sheen.
She said: “The actual game was much harder than I thought it would be. And much more all-consuming. I am sure for many the idea of doing it is a hard no for a number of reasons – it’s an intense experience and being idiotic and vulnerable on international television isn’t for everyone! – but for me it combined so much of what I love.
“The landscape, games, playing, being part of a team, deep and fun connection with people, being able to look down a camera and have a chat from time to time. I could go on. But when I say it was intense, it REALLY was – way more than I expected. I understand now why you become close to people on shows like it.”
She said she felt closest to Michael, Joe Lycett and James Blunt, but was also wrongly certain that King Kenny was a faithful. Looking back, she concluded: “I think you will always go away from something as intense and unusual an experience as this learning something.
“I learnt many things, or rather relearnt. One being never judge a book by its cover and be open to being wrong about your first judgement about someone. Secondly, that however assured people come across we are all vulnerable, have needs, and ultimately desire to be kind, so look for the good in people and treat them how you want to be treated. Make time for people rather than always looking after your own interests socially – that’s a big one.
“And finally, it has cemented my hatred of the smart phone because the joy of being with people without their phones – we talked and connected in a way I remember when I was younger. We need to put those darn things away.”
Elsewhere in last night’s episode, the remaining Faithfuls continued to struggle to spot the three Traitors – Maya Jama, King Kenny and James Acaster. In fact, they were so bad that they picked to save the trio at the end of the mission called Field Of Screams, as the players who could be eligible for a “game-changing power”.
Grinning Maya joked: “I had to hold in my laughter. Of all people, you saved us. I just thought, ‘Oh my gosh, have we completed this game already? We are trusting, we are unsuspecting, we are killing you all.’”
Kenny added: “Can’t believe we’ve been chosen as the most trustworthy. What on earth? Feels too good to be true.” And James said: “None of this comes back to us because they keep on doing it themselves.”
After he was picked to have the new power by the Traitors, host Claudia Winkleman gave Kenny a dagger, which meant he had two votes instead of one in the latest Round Table. As the show ended, Sharon Rooney and Joanne McNally tied on four votes each, and so they had to make a final plea to survive being banished before a second vote took place.
Kenny will have the deciding vote at the start of next week’s episodes, but whoever leaves, they are both part of team Faithful. It means the three Traitors will have all survived until the final week of the contest, and the struggling Faithfuls are up against it.
Prince William revealed he met with Ross Kemp recently and confirmed “he was really jumpy” as he opened up on his family’s love for The Celebroity Traitors on The Graham Norton Show
(Image: PA Wire)
The Prince of Wales has revealed his family’s love of The Celebrity Traitors, adding that he even touched paranoid faithful Ross Kemp “to see what reaction I got from him”.
The EastEnders star had been on alert about being murdered in plain sight through touch since the first episode of the BBC One series. The paranoia proved justified in Thursday’s episode, when he was indeed murdered in plain sight by traitors James Acaster and Maya Jama.
But instead of touch, he was murdered by yawning and inhaling a poisoned perfume. Discussing the star-studded programme during a surprise appearance on an Earthshot Prize edition of The Graham Norton Show, William said: “I love it, the family love it. Charlotte and Louis are obsessed with it. It’s really good telly.
“I saw Ross Kemp the day after the first episode and I couldn’t help but try – in the most appropriate way – to touch him to see what reaction I got from him. Turns out he was really jumpy!”
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Asked how he switches off, he said: “It is music and film. I love getting immersed in deep-thinking films. I like action films too, but I like something a bit different. I’m a big fan of everything Christopher Nolan does. His films are fantastic – The Dark Knight series is psychologically dark and deep and I absolutely love that.
“He takes concepts that are completely out there and makes them incredibly entertaining.”
William joined Cate Blanchett, Robert Irwin and Hannah Waddingham on the chat show to gasps from the audience to speak about the environmental award, which connects all four guests.
Blanchett is an Earthshot Prize council member, Irwin is a global ambassador for the prize and Waddingham hosted the 2023 Earthshot awards in Singapore.
Mumbai will stage the Earthshot Prize next month where the future king will meet Bollywood stars as he learns about India’s hugely popular film industry, play with cricketing royalty and preside over the ceremony awarding £5 million in prize money.
A sentence we never expected to say. Tonight, PM Andy Burnham and Steve Rotherham will make their debut on the show, sitting at 10 Downing Street. The programme airs in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, and Andy is no stranger to charitable causes. Throughout his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy often threw himself into work, helping those around him.
REVIEW: After one big yawn in the castle, the most disastrous mission ever was followed by the least productive Round Table. What’s going on?
21:05, 22 Oct 2026Updated 21:19, 22 Oct 2026
James Acaster knew he’d get a roasting in the turret – and he did
A disastrous Mission – in which the Traitors failed to bank any money at all – was tonight followed by a terrible Round Table, in which the Faithful simply clammed up. The producers must have been tearing their hair out.
It all started to go wrong when James Acaster decided he simply wasn’t going to do anything asked of him in the Mission, because he was “too scared”. And outraged Maya Jama and King Kenny could do nothing about it – because he did’t even raise his blindfold to look them in the eye.
Freaked out by his refusal, the pair of them crept about a bit but never looked close to building their shield, and – spooked by the creaking floorboards – in the end just aborted the mission entirely.
What is staggering is they didn’t even bother to sabotage the shields that had been built, leaving three of the Faithful fully protected from murder that night. So marks for effort to all three – zero.
Emboldened after winning the shields, some of the Faithful realised that the Traitors were on the ropes. “They’ve been absolutely rubbish,” James Blunt said, as Michael Sheen agreed: “They’ve got scared.”
They were absolutely right. But as though their inertia was catching, the Faithful then decided they’d respond by giving up speaking at the Round Table. Theories? Nah, they decided, collectively. Miranda Hart had one, but then withdrew it.
Jerry was asked for her thoughts directly, but having banged on repeatedly about James Blunt since the start, refused to say his name. And that’s after she’d earlier made the astonishing claim that he must be a Traitor because: “His face is redder than a fox’s ass at gooseberry time.” Well, if you say so Jerry.
In the end it was the former model who got her marching orders, not because the others really thought she was a Traitor, but because Michael suggested the next best thing was to get rid of any unhelpful Faithful.
Hang on though, hadn’t they noticed that Jerry and Sharon Rooney were the last ones in to breakfast that morning? Which means – as EVERY self-respecting fan of the show knows – that they must have been the other two Faithful in contention for murder, along with Ross Kemp. Duh. Never even mentioned.
When night fell, James Acaster was fully braced for the backlash he knew he deserved in the turret, saying: “I know I’m going to get a dressing down, I’m aware of that.”
Sure enough Maya and Kenny were fuming that he’d hung them out to dry. “I was scared,” he argued, deflecting their anger by insisting he was getting better at being a Traitor, not worse.
“When I killed Ross Kemp in plain sight, I loved it,” he declared. “And I have enjoyed today more.” Maya said she was proud of him but loyalty-wise, he must be skating on thin ice.
Now Romesh Ranganathan is convinced he’s about to be bumped off and if it’s not him it will be Miranda or Sebastian Croft. (The other two will walk in last to breakfast, you mark my words.)
James picked Romesh saying that his popularity and authority with the other Faithful would make his exit a huge blow. Calling him the “deputy head” of the round table, James said: “Morale-wise, everybody loves having Rom around.”
His words were kind but was this his way of trying to get rid of the fellow comedian, who is said to have made his life tricky in the castle? As Romesh headed to bed, he was muttering: “I’m going to die tonight.” And he could be right.
But whoever goes might find they’ve have a lucky escape if tonight’s effort was anything to go by. If this was a school report it would contain just three words: Must. Try. Harder.
Ross Kemp has feared being killed in plain sight since the very first day – but when it finally happened, he didn’t have a clue
Gotcha! Ross Kemp finally succumbs to the yawn murder
Ross Kemp has admitted that “fear of failure” was what drove his intense paranoia in the Celebrity Traitors castle, which proved highly entertaining for viewers.
The actor and presenter was killed by the Traitors in plain sight last night, after he was the first to yawn in the library, breathing in a deadly perfume sprayed by King Kenny under orders.
But having been fearful of being bumped off in public since the very first day – after Bella Ramsey put a hat on his head and Leigh-Anne Pinnock touched his arm – when it actually happened he was none the wiser. Speaking just after he left the castle Ross, 62, said: “I lived every day thinking I was going to get killed, and now it’s actually happened.
“The fear of failure on this is not comparable to anything. Whether you’re an actor, or in a hostile environment where you could get killed, you don’t let people down. Yes, no one’s going to get killed here, but the wish of not wanting to let yourself down or the people around you, was quite the drive.
“I was under a considerable amount of pressure by my children to do this, and you can’t really say no to it. It’s so popular. I think it’s the cleverest show on British television.”
Ross bowed out on TV with some sinister words for those who had killed him. “Well played Traitors,” he said. “But you’re always going to bee Traitors. And I know where you live…”
Stressing that he had “enjoyed it immensely”, Ross explained: “The whole environment just makes you paranoid. If you’re a fan of the show, you know that murder in plain sight happens. So when someone puts a hat on you, or touches your arm, however innocently it might be, I don’t think I’m wrong in suspecting it.”
Tipping “very clever” Maya as a potential winner, along with fellow Traitor James Acaster, Ross insisted: “I don’t feel that bad that I’ve gone when I’ve gone.”
And having put his absolute all into the Missions, in which money is raised for the prize fund, he’s hoping that he’ll now be missed. “I think it’s just in my nature to take on a physical challenge and want to succeed at it. I hope the next three or four Missions involve really heavy lifting across water, hopefully with some poo involved. I’ll watch it with great glee,” he laughed.
Jerry Hall said that being banished because she was “an icon” had come as a surprise, with Miranda Hart wrongly suspecting that the producers and host Claudia Winkleman wouldn’t have been able to resist putting Jerry and Richard E Grant into the turret together.
But Jerry – who recognised that she’d “made mistakes” in her exit speech – said she hadn’t laughed so much in years. Insisting she’d given it her all, she said: “Oh, it’s so much harder than the catwalk – it’s a very competitive world, and there’s some ruthless people, I should have been better prepared. Apparently the reason I got voted off was because I was an icon, which didn’t sound like it was a very factual reason. I think they saw me as a threat.”
But the 70-year-old said she’d even enjoyed her banishment, declaring: “It was kind of fun, and they were all so sweet. It was a lovely ending.”
The model, originally from Texas but now living in London, has no idea who the real Traitors are. “I’ve suspected James Blunt for quite a while, and Joanne, and even Leigh-Anne, and Miranda too. And Romesh, so there you go.”
Nevertheless, she was proud of what they’d achieved. “We caught two Traitors and we’d made quite a bit of prize money, I thought we were on a roll.”
The Celebrity Traitors is back on BBC One tonight with a murder in plain sight taking place – but a Traitor, namely Love Island’s Maya Jama, could be in the frame too, it has been claimed.
Maya Jama has a ‘tell’ at the round table says a body language expert
STEPPING on to the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury in 2023 was a big moment for Texas, who had last played at the festival 24 years earlier.
But whatever expectations frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri and her band had for the gig were blown out of the water, because it sent them stratospheric once again and gained them thousands of new fans.
Sharleen Spiteri of Texas performs at the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival in 2023Credit: GettyTexas have released a new single, Another Way To CryCredit: Julian Broad
Now they are capitalising on their expanded fanbase by heading out on an 11-date arena tour of the UK and Ireland next October, and releasing a 30th anniversary version of their No1 album White On Blonde, featuring hits including Say What You Want, Black Eyed Boy and Halo.
And as good news comes in threes, today Texas have also released a new single, Another Way To Cry.
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In an exclusive chat, Sharleen told me of their success: “I think it tastes sweeter than it ever has.
“The honest truth is that when we did that Glastonbury a couple of years ago, you never know how it’s going to go, but that Glastonbury changed everything. Suddenly there was a whole new audience that wanted to see Texas and we announced that tour off the back of that.
“It just was a moment of, ‘Wow, people really do still want to see us.’ When you look out into that audience, the ages vary all over the shop. It’s quite extraordinary.
“There’s been lots of people going, ‘When are you going on tour?’ so it’s good that there is still that desire to see us, and for us, that just makes the desire to go and play even stronger than it’s ever been.”
Sharleen with fellow Scot, Trainspotting star Robert CarlyleCredit: Stephen EllisIn an exclusive chat, Sharleen said of their success: ‘I think it tastes sweeter than it ever has’Credit: Getty
If you have not seen Texas yet, I urge you to snap up tickets when they go on general sale at 10am next Friday, October 30.
There, you will be able to hear the Scottish rockers’ new single, which is a rollicking, brassy singalong with Sharleen’s bluesy voice shining strong.
The accompanying video — an ode to the film Paris Texas, which was the inspiration for the band’s name — sees her exploring the Scottish highlands and bumping into fellow Scot, Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle.
On shooting the visuals, she said: “We had every season in the space of an hour, which was extraordinary, but that’s Scotland. We had scorching sun, pouring rain then sleet and hail stones and wind.
“It was fun, alongside our mates the Highland cattle, which was fantastic.”
And she insisted the Highland cows in the video were genuine. She continued: “It’s not AI, they were actually there. There was one point where me and Robert were walking down the road and they were coming right up, and they’re gigantic and they’ve got horns.
“If it just moved its head in the wrong direction and you’re anywhere near that horn you’re getting whacked by it.”
Thankfully they emerged unscathed and Sharleen has since been back in the studio.
Sharleen said: ‘The honest truth is that when we did that Glastonbury a couple of years ago, you never know how it’s going to go, but that Glastonbury changed everything’Credit: GettyShe added: ‘Suddenly there was a whole new audience that wanted to see Texas and we announced that tour off the back of that’Credit: Getty
Asked if there is an album of new music on the way too, she said: “Yeah, we’re working on a new record.”
As for White On Blonde, which will be out on February 5, Texas are chuffed it is being released on vinyl for the first time after they were recently fleeced trying to buy another of their records on the format.
She explained: “There was only ever vinyl made for the Press. We actually had to buy one of the old albums back because we’d given them away.
“We ended up buying our own record back for £1,200, about a year ago, because we needed it for a video. It was hysterical. I was literally like, ‘What? £1,200!’”
And they have got someone special on board to write the liner notes — Peter Kay.
Speaking about the comedian, who directed and starred in the 2006 video for their song Sleep, she said: “Peter is such a big music and Texas fan, and he’s a big friend of ours. He’s so geeky in his knowledge of music and stuff like that.
“It just felt exactly right because of his connection to the band and the fact he made the video for us and he bought White On Blonde and he’d always talked about it.
“It felt like the absolute right thing to do.”
I DON’T HAVE RIGHT TRAITS
SHARLEEN turned down the chance to go on The Celebrity Traitors in her native Scotland – insisting she’s a “s*** liar.”
She was approached by the series producers, but doesn’t think she’s competitive enough to be a success on Claudia Winkleman’s hit show.
Sharleen Spiteri turned down the chance to go on The Celebrity Traitors in her native Scotland – insisting she’s a ‘s*** liar’Credit: GettyThe Traitors host, Claudia WinklemanCredit: BBC
She explained: “I’m very flattered to have been asked and I said, ‘Thank you, but no.’ I couldn’t do it.
“I absolutely love The Traitors. It’s such a great, unbelievable programme and I’m watching it currently and I just couldn’t do it. I’d be all over the shop.
“I’d gladly play the game. But I’m a s*** liar. That is the truth. I wouldn’t remember who I told a lie to or what I did and I’m not that big of a player.
“I’d probably go, ‘Nah, you’re alright.’ The thing is, the only place I’m really competitive is on a stage.
“In games I’m really not competitive at all. So I’d probably be really rubbish.”
She added: “I want to be a fan, but not a fan in it. I want to be a fan watching it. I’m very happy with that situation.”
JADE-D BY PRINCESS FAILURE
Naomi Scott in the Walt Disney Studios movie AladdinCredit: �Walt Disney/ Supplied by LMK
JADE has revealed she was “devastated” not to land the role of Princess Jasmine in 2019’s live-action remake of Aladdin, after the role went to Naomi Scott.
The Little Mix star, who auditioned for director Guy Ritchie, said: “I was pretty devastated. I think I got down to the last few. I sent a letter once I knew they’d reached out, saying that Jasmine was my sort of idol growing up.
“She was the only character I could really look up to as someone of Arab heritage, so Princess Jasmine was who I dreamed of being.”
On Channel 4’s The Assembly, she added: “I did three rounds of auditions. I sang A Whole New World in Guy Ritchie’s living room.
“I didn’t get the part and that’s fine. But I was quite sad for some time, definitely. I was gutted, I can’t lie.”
JUDI DENCH says panned 2019 Cats movie was a “waste” of Andrew Llloyd Webber’s “goodwill and talent.”
She starred as Old Deuteronomy in the much-mocked movie and in her new memoir, she writes: “Oh God, I can’t bear it – and he had waited so long for it to be made.
“What a waste of all that goodwill and talent.”
JAY-Z’S UP FOR THE BIG GAME
Jay-Z, pictured with Beyonce, has chosen himself to be the headline act for next year’s Super Bowl half-time showCredit: Getty
JAY-Z has chosen himself to be the headline act for next year’s Super Bowl half-time show, according to a report in the US.
Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus were said to be in talks to perform at the show in Los Angeles on February 14.
Instead the rapper, who’s firm Roc Nation has had a deal with the NFL since 2019, will be taking centre stage.
He has yet to comment on the story, although he’s set to perform two shows at the SoFi Stadium in LA this Friday – where the big game will be held –so he may well announce it there.
His wife Beyonce previously headlined in 2013 and then joined Coldplay during their set there three years later.
And I imagine he’d want her as a guest if he takes to the pitch, too.
Jenna’s looking pawsome
Jenna Ortega wore this beaded dress for the US premiere of her new film Klara And The Sun in the Big Apple on MondayCredit: Shutterstock EditorialJenna, who posed for pics in New York with co-star Amy Adams and director Taika Waititi, said: ‘My dog follows me everywhere’Credit: Shutterstock EditorialJenna said her whippet Twigs helps her stay groundedCredit: PA
JENNA ORTEGA has been to London, Rome and New York in the past week and she’s had a special someone by her side the whole time – her pet pooch.
The Wednesday actress, who wore this beaded dress for the US premiere of her new film Klara And The Sun in the Big Apple on Monday, said her whippet Twigs helps her stay grounded.
Jenna, who posed for pics in New York with co-star Amy Adams and director Taika Waititi, said: “My dog follows me everywhere.
“It’s hard doing the job that I do, travelling to all of these different hotels and foreign countries, so to have something that is consistent and true, and looks after me, and I look after her, it’s nice.”
That dog must have racked up more air miles this week than I have all year.
BLUNT’S A TRAITOR FUME RESIDENTS
James Blunt has been dubbed a traitor by residents of the London borough of ActonCredit: Getty
RESIDENTS of the London borough of Acton have dubbed James Blunt a traitor.
He filmed his new Circles music video there, but then pretended it was somewhere else.
I revealed snaps of the Celebrity Traitors star riding around on a mini tractor while shooting the video in a park last week.
But locals soon spotted James had renamed Acton’s mainline station “Battersham”, leaving them fuming.
“We thought James was going to put Acton on the map with his video,” a friend, who sent me snaps of James recording his video, told me after seeing the clip.
“It’s not Battersham, this is Acton. And we’re proud of it.”
NO DIRTY A.I TRICKS IN DANCING SEQUEL
Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in Dirty DancingCredit: Alamy
THE producer behind the Dirty Dancing sequel insists they won’t bring back Patrick Swayze using AI.
Jennifer Grey will reprise the role of Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman and film bosses are working out how to celebrate late actor Patrick, who died in 2009.
Producer Nina Jacobson said: “That’s one of the things that you really have to focus on: how to let people mourn him in a movie. And don’t worry – we won’t be bringing him back with AI.”
She said they are “trying to chase the feeling of that original movie”.
Nina added: “Being able to tell a young love story that could take some of those risks but also inspire those feelings felt like an incredible chance for us.”
PHIL JOINS PIRATES CREW
Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black PearlCredit: Alamy
PIRATES Of The Caribbean is being brought to life by Secret Cinema – and they’ve got a household name on board to help out.
I can reveal Phil Daniels, who starred in EastEnders, and whose voice featured in Blur’s 1994 hit Parklife, has joined the cast as Captain Barbossa.
Johnny Depp’s character Jack Sparrow will be played by Olivier Award winner George Maguire.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Immersive Adventure, opens in February and has already had its run extended by six weeks due to demand.
It will also be the first production by Secret Cinema – which allows punters to watch films on the big screen while the action also unfolds around them – at its purpose-built flagship venue in London’s Greenwich.
Time to ready my sea legs.
LIAM GALLAGHER is winding up Oasis fans by claiming they’ve already finished a new album – but I’m not so sure.
Responding to someone on X who wrote: “Oasis have SEVEN great albums and those songs will LIVE FOREVER”, rocker Liam said: “8 including the new 1.”
THINGS look like they’re about to get tense for Princess and Junior Andre in a first look at their mission on Celebrity Race Across The World.
The offspring of Peter Andre and Katie Price jetted off to take part in the BBC series at the start of the year, and the show will return to screens next week, on October 28.
Things look like they’re about to get tense for Princess and Junior Andre in a first look at their mission on Celebrity Race Across The WorldCredit: BBCThe pair jetted off to take part in the BBC series at the start of the year, and the show will return to screens next week, on October 28Credit: BBC
But in preview images from the show, Princess, 19, and Junior, 21, look to have their work cut out for them.
Geared up in t-shirts and trainers, brandishing massive green backpacks, the pair are seen in the snaps looking stressed out as they face the TV challenge.
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Branded “the wildest race yet” by the show’s producers, the siblings are pictured poring over a map and a compass, working out which direction they’ll need to head.
The pair will start their race in Kuching, in the Malaysian state of Sarawak in North West Borneo, and attempt to navigate their way to the final destination of Melbourne, Australia.
In preview images from the show, Princess, 19, and Junior, 21, look to have their work cut out for themCredit: BBCGeared up in t-shirts and trainers, brandishing massive green backpacks, the pair are seen in the snaps looking stressed out as they face the TV challengeCredit: BBCBranded “the wildest race yet” by the show’s producers, the siblings are pictured poring over a map and a compass, working out which direction they’ll need to headCredit: BBCThe pair will start their race in Kuching, in the Malaysian state of Sarawak in North West Borneo, and attempt to navigate their way to the final destination of Melbourne, AustraliaCredit: BBCDespite their pop star dad Peter hailing from Down Under, the brother and sister team don’t look too sure about making the nearly 3,500 mile voyageCredit: BBCThe siblings will compete against singer-songwriter Ella Eyre and her childhood friend Nana, veteran sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling and his son Matt, and musician Sam Ryder with his best friend and tour manager KazCredit: PA
Despite their pop star dad Peter hailing from Down Under, the brother and sister team don’t look too sure about making the nearly 3,500 mile voyage.
The siblings will compete against singer-songwriter Ella Eyre and her childhood friend Nana, veteran sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling and his son Matt, and musician Sam Ryder with his best friend and tour manager Kaz.
Bosses rushed to sign up the pair after the success of ITV2’s The Princess Diaries, which featured influencer Princess and her big brother, who is taking after Peter’s footsteps with dreams of a singing career.
A source said earlier this year: “Princess and Junior have proven themselves to be well-mannered, hardworking kids and opportunities continue to come their way.
“Execs were impressed with the ratings for The Princess Diaries but also how they came across.
“They’re brilliant signings for Celeb Race as they bring with them a younger audience.
“But bosses are also looking forward to seeing how they cope with the stripped-back style of travelling as they’re more at home in five- star hotels than a hostel.”
Junior and Princess left London to start work on the show in February, amid the start of the controversy surrounding their mum Katie’s whirlwind wedding to Lee Andrews.
Now, eight months on, the marriage has fallen apart, with Katie bracing herself for a complicated divorce in the wake of Lee’s conman behaviour and stint in jail.
Fans of the famous offspring will be able to chart Junior and Princess’ mission when Celebrity Race Across The World returns to iPlayer and BBC One next Wednesday.
Sebastian Croft has opened up about his experience of being cruelly ‘bullied’ at schoolCredit: GettyThe actor is currently appearing on Celebrity TraitorsCredit: BBC
“I had a really difficult few years,” said Sebastian – who is affectionately known as Bash – in a new interview with the i Paper.
The star, who is openly queer, explained that he was “outed” by a classmate he was having a secret relationship with.
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“I don’t blame the other boy who did it, because he was obviously just also trying to navigate the fact that he was getting chipped for being gay.
“But it was a really lonely and difficult time in my life. I would leave school and be an actor and be doing the thing I loved the most, and be with other like-minded people, and feel so liberated in myself, and then I go back to school and be bullied and ostracised,” said Sebastian, who is now 24.
He famouslt began his career playing a young Ned Stark in Game Of ThronesCredit: Warner BrothersHe has since had roles in series such as Heartstopper, in which his storyline was similar to his real-life school experienceCredit: Netflix
The actor attended a boarding school just outside of Oxford, where he grew up.
Sebastian rose to prominence after having his TV debut on Game Of Thrones as a young Ned Stark.
Playing the younger version of Sean Bean’s character, he appeared in Winterfell via Bran Stark’s greenseeing flashbacks in the episodes Home and The Door.
Over the years, he has earned acclaim for his roles, including a BAFTA Children’s Award nomination for his starring turn as Atticus in Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans.
MAYA Jama oozed glam in a gothic purple gown with a matching choker as she stepped out at the British Museum Ball.
The Celebrity Traitors star – who is one of BBC host Claudia Winkleman‘s chosen Traitors – flashed a sultry look in her floor length purple frock.
Maya Jama looked sensational in a gothic gown with ruffle detail and a matching chokerCredit: PAMaya flashed a sultry pout as she stepped out at The British Museum Ball 2026Credit: Getty
Ruched detail across her torso drew attention to the Love Island anchor’s toned figure while stitched pattern on the skirt added extra style.
Maya stayed her hair into curls and a half-up style, with sections at the front framing her face.
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The presenter kept her make-up fresh, with a slick of black eyeliner and pink lipgloss.
According to britishmuseum.org, the swanky evening was “the defining highlight of London’s cultural and social calendar this autumn”.
She styled her hair into curls and a half-up doCredit: PAMaya has been hailed a style icon on Celeb Traitors due to her ‘Honey Monster’ coatCredit: BBCFans have also suspected a show romance with a co-starCredit: BBCShe is known for her racy Love Island wardrobeCredit: ITV
It stated: “Conceived as a night where art, history, performance and fashion converge, the Ball will offer a truly unforgettable moment at one of the world’s most iconic institutions”.
The theme of this year’s event was Red and also saw the likes of Mick Jagger and Lesley Manville in attendance.
We told how she packed 10 designer jackets, worth a total £15,000, for the iconic show.
She donned a £2,570 Saint Laurent trench coat for the launch show and wore the £600 mustard Mongolian sheepskin bolero coat designed by London-based fashion house Agro Studio.
There is now a six day wait to find out if Ross Kemp or Jerry Hall has been murdered – or if the Traitors failed.
21:03, 16 Oct 2026Updated 21:17, 16 Oct 2026
Maya was yawning like crazy in a bid to make a Faithful join in
Celebrity Traitors fans now have a tense wait to discover whether Ross Kemp or Jerry Hall will seal their own fate by yawning in the castle – or if the turret trio will fail their challenge to kill in plain sight.
In the UK game, the Traitors have never faltered at this before, but it has happened in international versions including in Denmark and Canada, when it was felt too many people were present to carry out the task – set by producers – without being caught.
If Maya Jama, James Acaster and Kenny Ojuederie do fail, their punishment would come in the form of a missed murder, meaning everyone arrives at breakfast the following morning and wonders what happened.
Jerry, 70, did say she was feeling tired during last night’s programme but did not respond to the many yawns made by Maya and James, which normally prompt a copycat response.
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If Ross succumbs, it could be seen as a fitting end to his time in the castle after he spent the whole of the first day convinced he’d been murdered in plain sight by first Bella Ramsey and then Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
Jerry – voted as the player whose head was most in the clouds during the latest mission – would be greatly missed for her eccentric ways, while Ross’s huge contribution to the missions would also be a sad loss for the whole team.
In last night’s show the ex-EastEnder, 62, said he felt angry with the Traitors for repeatedly setting him up and making the other Faithful feel suspicious of him.
But this time he and Jerry have been selected entirely at random, in the same way that Paloma Faith became Alan Carr’s first kill last year, even though she was one of his best pals.
The challenge, which left all three of the Traitors feeling the pressure, was to get any of the Faithful to yawn in a specific room after spraying some “deadly sleeping powder” from a perfume bottle, which would be breathed in.
Reading out the instructions in disbelief, comedian James said: “To seal the murder you must then say, ’Am I boring you?’ – followed by the victim’s name. I can’t believe this.” Viewers won’t discover the outcome until next Thursday’s episode at 8pm on BBC1.
Joe Lycett was voted off after telling the Faithful he was desperate to become a Traitor, admitting afterwards ‘I’ve done this to myself’
21:07, 16 Oct 2026Updated 21:08, 16 Oct 2026
Joe was the architect of his own downfall – and he knows it
Banished Faithful Joe Lycett was so desperate for a green cloak that after being voted out of The Celebrity Traitors he called for a rule change allowing dumped players to return as baddies.
His exit last night came after he loudly proclaimed he wanted to be recruited into the turret – which didn’t happen – but nobody believed him when he truthfully announced his disappointment the next morning.
“I’d like to motivate the Traitors to find an unknown clause in the contract that can bring back a Faithful that’s been banished to recruit because I’m there if they want me,” he laughed.
The comedian, 38, received 11 of the 14 votes after what seemed like a big slip-up at the round table in which he said that if he went, the Traitors would need to recruit again. Afterwards he acknowledged that he only had himself to blame. “I sort of didn’t play being a Faithful or a Traitor right. I tried to straddle both, and I was being greedy and I was rightly punished for it.
“I’m a silly billy – it was a combination of me begging for recruitment and then the Faithful being thick as mince. I concede I’ve done this very much to myself, but I was too hungry to be recruited. And you know, if being passionate is a crime, then banish me from the castle.”
Joe, who was instrumental in exposing Richard E Grant as a Traitor by asking him what he was on the first day, said the experience of being kept separate from friends and family during filming had been enjoyable. Asked to explain what he’d learned about himself by taking part in the game, he said: “The word that comes to mind for this whole experience is gratitude. It’s made me really grateful for my life. I’m really grateful that I am in a position that I get to experience this, because I’m famous enough to be in the mix. I loved having my phone taken away from me, and I’m really grateful for the fact that I have a lovely life to miss.”
Admitting that the game was sometimes “infuriating”, but also “joyous and thrilling”, Joe said he thinks the most likely winner is Romesh Ranganathan. “I think Romesh is a front runner,” he said. “I think he’s kind of unreadable but may get heat just on that basis. Then I think there could be a real curve ball, like Jerry or Joanne, someone who’s playing it in a way that’s out there.”
But he said it was hard to stick to strategies when you were inside the castle. “I’ve gone to Round Tables not knowing who I was going to vote for, and I don’t know who’s a Traitor – any of them could win at this stage.”
Miranda Hart formed such a close bond with Joe during their time filming together that she wept when he left – having refused to put his name on her slate and writing Ross instead. During the programme she explained: “Three or four years ago, due to illness, I thought that I might not ever have a gentle walk around a park again. Now I find myself on a Scottish Highland wheelbarrowing along a very large head. It’s really exciting.”
Miranda, 53, has been suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome for many years, which she believes was caused by having Lyme disease as a teenager. Having recently recovered enough to sign up for the programme, she has joined in with the missions wholeheartedly. In last night’s effort she grew tired carrying the statue parts at one point so swapped to transport a giant head in a wheelbarrow towards the plinth where it could be erected on top of its body, earning money for the prize pot. The current fund stands at £46,000, after the players successfully constructed five out of the six statues.
The comedy star tearfully told James Acaster that having fun outside with Joe had made her feel the happiest she’d felt in a long time. “I can’t believe how emotional I’m getting,” she said, as the floodgates opened. “Connection and laughter and joy are bigger than this game and to meet someone and to just play and laugh, it’s all us humans need.”
The good news is that she is proving so popular in the castle that many fans are calling for a return of her BBC sitcom Miranda, which last aired with a Christmas special in 2015. Another suggestion is that she stars in a different show. “A Miranda detective series like Jonathan Creek would be… such fun!” one fan said.
Joe felt that he would miss her too. “Miranda is someone that I’ve met briefly in the past and I’ve always loved. I’m really pleased that I got a chance to play with her, do some sort of an improv, essentially, and kind of mess about. I got very close with her.”
He said that – against his expectations – he’d got on well with everyone. “I really, really liked them all – and didn’t expect to when I saw the lineup. I thought, well, there’s going to be some people I’m going to find difficult, or are divas or whatever. And the reality was completely different.”
Joe’s high point came right at the start when he asked the question that sparked Richard E Grant’s astonishing outburst. The comic said he was glad he hadn’t been persuaded to ignore it. “I know lots of people tried to steer me away from it, but I was like, there’s no game around that, he absolutely meant it when he said it to me. God knows what was going through his head. It was an absolutely superb, classic, Richard E. Grant way of responding to this game. It’s one of the most iconic performances I’ve ever seen.”
Miranda Hart broke down in tears on the latest episode of Celebrity Traitors following the exit of Joe Lycett and spoke candidly of the connection they had struck up following her illness
21:27, 16 Oct 2026Updated 21:27, 16 Oct 2026
Miranda Hart broke down in tears on the latest episode of Celebrity Traitors(Image: BBC)
The comedienne, 53, had a hugely successful career in the 2010s with her eponymous sitcom but had to take time out of the spotlight after struggling with chronic fatigue. She had struck up such a close bond with fellow Faithful Joe that when he was banished from the castle, she was visibly moved.
She said: “I can’t believe how emotional I’m getting. Wow. Connection and laughter and joy are bigger than this game and to meet someone and just play and laugh – it’s all us humans need.
“I’ve had times in my life when I haven’t had that through illness and it’s brought up that in a silly sensitive soul.”
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Speaking to Traitor James Acaster, who comforted her with a hug, she said: “I haven’t played like that in so long. The floodgates just opened i guess, it suddenly wasn’t about a silly Faithful or Traitor.”
The TV star previously told how she had suffered a “tick-borne illness” while living in the USA as a teenager. At one point, she was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, before eventually being diagnosed with Lyme Disease in 2020.
She said: “My decision making in life generally, and certainly work, is follow the joy. I haven’t done much TV work for a long time, having only recently come out of long-term ill health issues and when I was offered this, my whole body sort of relaxed, I smiled, and I just wanted to jump about like a schoolgirl with joy.
“It’s just fun. It’s outdoors, it’s games. All the stuff I love. It’s play basically. And I’m passionate about encouraging people to play more generally, and this game is that in spades.
“It’s a brilliant television show – the only flaw in taking part is that as a fan of the show it will be less fun to watch it with myself in it!”
Despite her new lease of life, the former Call the Midwife star, who secretly got married in late 2024, is still living with elements of her illness and is struggling to a point but has been able to manage her symptoms and insisted she felt well enough to join Claudia Winkleman’s hit BBC game show.
She added: “I’m still living with elements of ME, and that brings fatigue and pain to manage, but I have come to a point where I feel well enough to step out, and that’s also partly why I’m doing this.
“The joy of mucking about on television again will hopefully outweigh some of the challenges. And I think it will be challenging on my body, so it’ll be interesting, and it’ll take some courage as this is a big next step.
“When you live with a chronic illness, it’s invisible, so people don’t know that you’re sitting there in pain. But then it reminds you that everybody’s got their thing. So, I’m also really looking forward to making friends and looking after each other and hopefully they can carry me up a hill or whatever we’re going to have to do!”
