Celia Imrie, who was in Thursday Murder Club, shared suspicions Jonathan Ross could be a villain in the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors, during which Welsh singer Charlotte Church was “murdered” yesterday
Celia Imrie admitted she has a ‘crush’ on TV presenter Jonathan Ross
The performer, who was in Thursday Murder Club this year, made the admission as she considered Ross, 64, could be a traitor. Imrie, 73, voted to boot him out following the roundtable discussion on Wednesday’s drama-packed episode.
Imrie, who has been in popular dramas and films for the past five decades, said: “This is a bit tricky because I’ve got a bit of a crush on you right now, but I put you Jonathan because I think you have the chutzpah and brilliance to be a traitor.”
After two rounds of voting that ended with Scottish actor Mark Bonnar and historian David Olusoga receiving an equal amount of votes, presenter Claudia Winkleman announced the banishment would be left to chance.
The episode ended before the result of the banishment, which takes place following a roundtable discussion that sees contestants debate the identity of the secret traitors who meet at night to plot their next “murder”, in a bid to take the charity prize pot from the faithfuls.
A number of scenes with Imrie have gone viral, including when she audibly passed wind during a stressful mission in a cabin, prompting gales of laughter from her fellow cast members, as well as viewers around the country.
Another clip of Imrie, which showed her howling down a well while mimicking the sound of a banshee for a challenge, was turned into a meme.
She prompted further laughs when, before the challenge, comedian Lucy Beaumont said “you know what you do in a well, don’t you?”, to which she replied: “Put the pussy in.”
Earlier in the episode, Welsh singer Charlotte Church became the latest contestant to be “murdered” by the traitors – comedian Alan Carr, TV presenter Jonathan Ross and singer Cat Burns – who had plotted their next move during last Thursday’s episode.
Reacting to her murder, Church, 39, said: “I thought I was going to be murdered. I’m outspoken at the round table, and I’m outspoken with my opinions, not that I was successful in being much of a threat to the traitors. But as the game progressed, I hope that I would’ve been. I hope that that’s why they’ve gotten rid of me. Well played traitors.”
Celia Imrie is one of several famous faces appearing on the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors, and in the past, the beloved actress, who’s appeared in Bridget Jones, has shared glimpses of her life
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
11:36, 22 Oct 2025Updated 11:36, 22 Oct 2025
Celia is currently appearing on Celebrity Traitors(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
Celia Imrie had no wishes to marry – or date, but after wanting a child took a slightly unconventional route to motherhood. The actress is one of the famous faces starring in BBC hit Celebrity Traitors.
She’s joined in the castle by the likes of Alan Carr, Charlotte Church, Kate Garraway, Lucy Beaumont, Jonathan Ross, Clare Balding, Cat Burns and Stephen Fry. Celia believes being an actor gives her “quite an advantage” to the game, but has shared a number of personal revelations in the series so far.
Celia has spoken of her special arrangement with the late actor, Benjamin Whitrow. Celia has made it no secret that she had no intentions of getting married, but had always wanted to be a mum. She and Benjamin welcomed son Angus, also an actor, who has appeared in Station Jim, The Crown and Flea Bag.
Now, 73, when she was in her 40s, Celia asked Whitrow for a child but revealed she didn’t expect him to contribute towards their son’s life. Instead, she made the decision that she would raise their child completley alone. Speaking about her deal with Whitrow, she told the Telegraph: “Angus was devoted to his father and, though I’ve never really said it properly, Ben and I did have a romance.
“I wanted to have his baby before it was too late, and he [Whitrow] was very, very honest with him [Angus], and he accepted that and was a wonderful father.” Whitrow, known for playing Mr Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, died in September 2017, aged 80.
She said it was “very tough” and that she had lost “a very darling friend”. Prior to his death, Celia had insisted that they were just friends. She and Whitrow, who was divorced with two adult children, met in the 1990s, and it was during a walk on the beach when she asked him to father her son.
Reflecting on this, she said in her memoir, Happy Hoofer: “We gradually got to know each other and grew very fond. He thought perhaps in time…but because Ben had a grown-up family I was very anxious not to upset them.
“Ben and I walked on the beach one day as I laid out my terms. As long as he understood I would not ask for anything, I wouldn’t want to live with him, or marry him, would never ask for money for the child and I would be responsible for choosing and paying for the child’s education, accommodation, clothing – everything.
“I was trying to be clear and true. Some people might say calculated, but I would say I was being honest. If Ben could take all that on board, I said, then his offer to fulfil my wish for a child would be wonderful. He has proved to be a marvellous father to Angus. And his whole family has been very welcoming.”
Celia has been very clear that she prefers friendship to sex and has no desire to marry. Speaking to the Telegraph in 2013, she said: “I have a horror of boring someone or, worse still, of someone boring me. I said to my mother when I was seven, ‘But, Mums, if it was only my husband and me in the house together, what would we talk about?’ I’ve never wanted to answer my own question, and doubt I’ll bother now.”
The players are having fun getting to know each other but are proving spectacularly bad at spotting Jonathan Ross, Cat Burns or Alan Carr as The Traitors on the BBC series
22:00, 16 Oct 2025Updated 22:32, 16 Oct 2025
Clare Balding got banished after she took on Jonathan Ross – and lost
Two more of the Faithful bit the dust last night in The Celebrity Traitors with Clare Balding the latest big name to exit, along with Irish actress Ruth Codd. The players have remained collectively useless at rooting out the Traitors and getting rid of them.
And Stephen Fry pointed out that if one more of the Faithful exits – leaving 12 players – the Traitors will make up a quarter of their numbers.
After being voted out at the Round Table, with seven votes, a startled Clare relished her moment of telling them that she was, in fact, a Faithful. Actor Mark Bonnar was so furious he punched the table and said “for F***’s sake” – immediately drawing attention to himself for what others perceived to be over-acting.
Speaking after her banishment, Clare said she’d loved the digital detox while in the castle. “I think my personal highlight was being able to spend quality time with no distractions of phones or anything,” she explained.
The sports TV star, 54, was completely happy to have been a Faithful and, asked what she’d learned about herself, laughed. “I had confirmed what I already knew, which is I am a rather pathetic people pleaser. I’m not suspicious enough – but I’m quite happy being that way. I’d rather live in a world where I trust everyone, where I see good in everyone, and where the world is always bright, shiny and positive. And if that was my downfall, I’m fine with that.”
Ruth, 29, was murdered by the Traitors as part of Jonathan Ross’s audacious double bluff strategy. While rugby ace Joe Marler saw through the Traitor tactic, the chat show host received just the one vote at the round table. But afterwards Celia Imrie, 73, was kicking herself for not voting for him, saying that she’d been distracted by his “deliciousness”. Speaking afterwards Wossy, 64, admitted he had no idea how he was still in the game having had so much suspicion on him. And in the turret, he laughed to the other Traitors Alan Carr and Cat Burns: “It’s like playing chess, but with five-year-olds!”
Ruth, who became a fan favourite for her outspoken style, said that she and Clare had become friends. Admitting they made an “unlikely duo”, she joked: “I kind of look like her goth child that should be a disappointment, but she’s incredibly proud of.” Last night it emerged that the BBC1 opener last week has now been watched by 11.7million after seven days of viewing. The fourth episode will air on Wednesday (22 October) with the ninth and final instalment now scheduled for Thursday 6th November.
Meanwhile Celia Imrie’s funny fart from Wednesday has been hailed as TV gold by fans, as it helped The Celebrity Traitors to a series high of 6.9 million on Wednesday night.
The players howled with laughter when the actress, 73, let rip as host Claudia Winkleman was welcoming them to their latest mission, which she described as the “worst team-building away day experience in history”.
As the other players guffawed and Claudia asked what had happened, The Thursday Murder Club actress piped up: “I just farted Claudia. It’s nerves, but I always own up.”
Afterwards some TV experts suggesting the scene-stealer from Bridget Jones star Celia could be a contender for the next Bafta Memorable Moment award. Fans agreed, with one saying: “Her comic timing was impeccable.
I watched this over and over again and am still laughing. TV moment of the year.” Another called it “the most taboo-breaking moment in TV history”.
Claudia Winkleman is hosting The Celebrity Traitors with 19 famous faces all trying to win £100,000 for their chosen charity – but Claudia isn’t her usual bubbly self
Claudia Winkleman is back with a host of celebs entering the castle(Image: BBC / Studio Lambert)
Nineteen huge stars are taking part in The Celebrity Traitors – but all eyes will be on Claudia Winkleman’s fierce fashion choices. Wearing faux fur coats, structured layers and statement knitwear, Claudia has honed a look that’s all her own, and reinvented
it for the celebrity version. “It’s absolutely nuts,” says Claudia. “Unhinged in taffeta was where we went.”
Alan Carr, Cat Burns, Celia Imrie, Charlotte Church, Clare Balding, David Olusoga, Joe Marler, Joe Wilkinson, Jonathan Ross, Kate Garraway, Lucy Beaumont, Mark Bonnar, Nick Mohammed, Niko Omilana, Paloma Faith, Ruth Codd, Stephen Fry, Tameka Empson and Tom Daley are all signed up for the gothic game show, each vying to win £100,000 for their chosen charity.
It’s the spin-off fans have been begging for – but at first Strictly host Claudia was against the idea of yet another celebrity format. “I was scared,” she admits. “Only because I’m in love with this show and I wanted to keep it small. Once a year or maybe once every two years felt like enough. My bosses, thank goodness, ignored everything I said.”
When she saw the calibre of celebrity queuing up to play traitors and faithfuls, even Claudia had to agree the show was a good idea. Working with Stephen Fry was a dream come true for Claudia and bearded comic Joe Wilkinson left her especially starstruck. “I could barely breathe when I saw them all in the Highlands. I’m such a fan of every single one of them,” shares Claudia, 53.
“The whole team were just in awe, it was hard not to scream, ‘You’re here!’ When I talked to Stephen Fry I almost welled up, I told him this was my dream. We’re incredibly lucky to have the cast that we have. Each one of them is tremendous. My family and I are obsessed with Joe Wilkinson, I had to stop myself getting his autograph for my son.”
Claudia oversees the games on the show but admits she finds it a challenge not to get too chummy with the players. “The biggest challenge was being strict,” says Claudia. “All I wanted to do was chat and be friendly but my role is aloof and grumpy. I found it hard not to just sit down with them and have a cup of tea.”
And she finds the urge to help them with the missions overwhelming. “Sometimes I try and drop big clues, but my producer tells me off,” Claudia confesses.
To help her maintain her distance from the stars, Claudia channels two classic villains. “[I’m] Cruella de Vil with a touch of Miss Trunchbull!” she laughs.
Hosting such a huge show is a dream come true for Claudia, but she admits she found the celebrity version tougher than the main show. “It was scarier, because all I wanted to do was chat to them and make them like me,” she says. “But of course, I have to be extremely unlikeable. It was tricky!”
Claudia can’t praise the celebrity contestants enough for the energy they put into the show. “They’re incredibly smart and kind,” she says. “They play the game beautifully and were fully engulfed in it. It was an extraordinary experience and we’re so so lucky this 19 said yes. It’s something we never take for granted and are so grateful for.”
The Netflix film was shot at a stunning Grade II listed house.
08:19, 18 Aug 2025Updated 13:48, 27 Aug 2025
Coopers Chase is a stunning home in real life(Image: NETFLIX)
The Thursday Murder Club airs on Netflix on August 28 and the film, which has already received mixed reviews, is an adaptation of Richard Osman’s 2020 novel.
Taking place at a retirement village known as Coopers Chase, the film follows four amateur sleuths as they take it upon themselves to investigate a recent murder.
Where is Coopers Chase in the Thursday Murder Club?
Production designer James Merifield chose somewhere he had filmed before to replicate the retirement village from the beloved book.
To bring Coopers Chase to life, he chose Englefield House in Berkshire – a Grade II listed house originally built in 1558.
The home has had substantial alterations since the 1820s, with Netflix explaining: “Its scale and architecture worked well as the ex-priory of the book.
“Within the house itself, many rooms and corridors were dressed to provide the residents with their elegant communal spaces, but there were also some substantial set builds including the Jigsaw Room where the gang congregates.”
As for the nearby cemetery, the set was inspired by a corner of the famous Highgate Cemetery in North London. It was constructed so convincingly that several cast members thought it was real.
Thursday Murder Club was filmed at Englefield House(Image: NETFLIX)
Can you visit the Coopers Chase house?
While Englefield House is a private residence and is not open to the public, the gardens are open to visitors every Monday throughout the year.
Visitors do not need to book in advance, but there is an entrance fee of £5. RHS and NGS cardholders, as well as children are entitled to free entry.
From March to October group tours are offered from Tuesday to Thursday for a minimum of 20 people and must be booked in advance. The estate’s website has all the details on how to book.
Englefield House is available to hire for private and corporate events, and the estate grounds and deer park provide a stunning location for outdoor events.
The estate has hosted a number of concerts, country fayres and classic car auctions in the house.
The Thursday Murder Club airs on Netflix on August 28
The Thursday Club is based on the best-selling book from former Pointless star Richard Osman.
The Thursday Club is set to make its cinema debut this week with fans understandably excited thanks to the unbelievable cast.
Hype has been mounting for the premiere of the silver screen adaptation of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club for quite some time but now the wait is almost over.
The Pointless star’s best-selling 2020 novel revolves around four friends in a retirement home who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun.
However, things actually get real for them when a property developer is found dead and the gang find themselves in the middle of the murder investigation.
The Thursday Murder Club cast in full
Elizabeth Best – Helen Mirren
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Elizabeth Best is played by Helen Mirren. (Image: NETFLIX)
The one and only Helen Mirren is behind Elizabeth Best in this eagerly anticipated adaptation, an ex-spy and the founder of the Thursday Murder Club.
Mirren is renowned for starring in massive hits such as The Queen, Hitchcock, Age of Consent, Excalibur, Gosford Park and Calendar Girls.
Ron Ritchie – Pierce Brosnan
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Ron Ritchie is played by Pierce Brosnan. (Image: GETTY)
Fellow member of the Thursday Murder Club is Ron Ritchie, a former union activist.
Irish star Pierce Brosnan is globally best remembered for starring as James Bond in the iconic franchise but has also been in Mamma Mia! and most recently starred in Paramount+’s Mobland.
Ibrahim Arif – Sir Ben Kingsley
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Ibrahim Arif is played by Sir Ben Kingsley. (Image: GETTY)
Ron and Elizabeth are joined by fellow retiree and ex-psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif.
Sir Ben Kingsley has featured in major blockbusters including Sexy Beast, Shutter Island, Jules, William Tell and Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi.
Joyce Meadowcroft – Celia Imrie
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Joyce Meadowcroft is played by Celia Imrie.(Image: NETFLIX)
Actress Celia Imrie is a star of both TV and film, with projects like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Calendar Girls, Keeping Faith, The Diplomat and Patrick Melrose under her belt.
Imrie is behind former nurse and latest member of the club, Joyce Meadowcroft.
DCI Chris Hudson – Daniel Mays
The Thursday Murder Club cast: DCI Chris Hudson is played by Daniel Mays.(Image: NETFLIX)
Another recognisable star of British TV is actor Daniel Mays who is known for his work in Lin of Duty, Ashes to Ashes, White Lines, Des and Code 404.
He is behind DCI Chris Hudson who gets sucked into the workings of the Thursday Murder Club.
Donna de Freitas – Naomi Ackie
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Donna de Freitas is played by Naomi Ackie. (Image: NETFLIX)
In Osman’s novel, Donna de Freitas is an eager policewoman who has just been transferred from South London.
Actress Naomi Ackie won the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress in Netflix ’s The End of the F*****g World, and has also been in BBC ’s Small Axe, Star Wars : Rise of Skywalker and portrayed Whitney Houston in the biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
Stephen Best – Jonathan Pryce
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Stephen Best is played by Jonathan Pryce. (Image: GETTY)
Welsh star Jonathan Pryce has featured in mega hits like The Age of Innocence, Pirates of the Caribbean, Evita, Tomorrow Never Dies and The Two Popes.
Pryce, who will play Elizabeth’s husband Stephen Best, also portrayed Prince Philip in the final two seasons of The Crown.
Ian Ventham – David Tennant
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Ian Ventham is played by David Tennant. (Image: GETTY)
Scottish star David Tennant has featured in an abundance of exciting shows and films including Broadchurch, Good Omens, Deadwater Fell, Jessica Jones, the Harry Potter franchise, The Sandman and, of course, as the tenth Time Lord in Doctor Who.
In The Thursday Murder Club, Tennant portrays Ian Ventham, the dodgy owner of the retirement village Coopers Chase.
Bogdan Jankowski – Henry Lloyd-Hughes
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Bogdan Jankowski is played by Henry Lloyd-Hughes. (Image: GETTY)
Actor Henry Lloyd-Hughe is behind the Thursday Murder Club’s right-hand man, although how he becomes involved isn’t made clear.
Lloyd-Hughes has starred in The Irregulars, Indian Summers, Parade’s End and The Long Shadow but many may remember him best for playing bully Mark Donovan in The Inbetweeners.
Tony Curran – Geoff Bell
Actor Geoff Bell has starred in The Business, Once Upon a Time in London, Daylight Robbery and, most recently, Mobland, just to list a few.
He is behind Tony Curran, a builder and business partner at the retirement village.
Jason Ritchie – Tom Ellis
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Jason Ritchie is played by Tom Ellis.(Image: NETFLIX)
Jason Ritchie is Brosnan’s character Ron’s son who used to be a famous boxer who previously made some “shady deals”.
He is brought to life by the unforgettable Tom Ellis who starred as Lucifer himself in the titular drama, and also had roles in Miranda, Washington Black and Once Upon A Time.
Bobby Tanner – Richard E Grant
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Bobby Tanner is played by Richard E Grant.(Image: GETTY)
Also joining the cast is actor Richard E Grant who is playing a character called Bobby Tanner.
Grant is known for his roles in Saltburn, Waltlock, Death of a Unicorn, Dom Hemingway and Withnail and I.
John Grey – Paul Freeman
John Grey is a fellow resident at Coopers Chase and the husband of a friend of Elizabeth’s.
Actor Paul Freeman is remembered for starring in The Dogs of War and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Patrice de Freitas – Sarah Niles
The Thursday Murder Club cast: Patrice de Freitas is played by Sarah Niles. (Image: GETTY)
Actress Sarah Niles is best known for starring as Dr Sharon Fieldstone in Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso.
She is playing Patrice de Freitas, young police officer Donna’s mum.
Joanna Meadowcroft – Ingrid Oliver
The Thursday Murder Club author Richard Osman’s wife Ingrid Oliver stars as Joanna Meadowcroft in the film adaptation.(Image: GETTY)
Actress and comedian Ingrid Oliver, who was part of the double act Watson and Oliver and played Petronella Osgood in Doctor Who, is behind Joyce’s daughter Joanna Meadowcroft.
In real life, Oliver is also the wife of The Thursday Murder Club author Richard Osman.
The Thursday Murder Club premieres on Friday, August 22, in cinemas, and on Thursday, August 28, on Netflix.
Boasting a star-studded cast, the movie follows four retirees who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun, but they end up with a real whodunit on their hands.
The film stars Helen Mirren as Elizabeth, Pierce Brosnan as Ron, Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim and Celia Imrie as Joyce, and it was directed by Chris Columbus.
Chris said of the film: “There’s a wonderful mystery at its core, so fans of detective and thriller films will not be disappointed.
Celia Imrie and Ben Kingsley in The Thursday Murder Club (Image: NETFLIX)
“Thematically, I found it interesting that at the heart of the novel, there are four elderly people, living in a retirement community, who are obsessed with death and murder.
“They are in the last act of their lives, facing their own mortality, yet they are somehow obsessed with studying cold cases that deal with violent murders. I fell in love with that concept. It’s darkly comedic and deeply emotional.”
Thursday Murder Club is also coming to Netflix (Image: Netflix)
Translating the complex 350 page novel, which is full of plot twists, into a screenplay was actor and comedian Katy Brand’s responsibility.
“I remember thinking ‘there’s so much to play with here – it’s such an explosion of ideas.’ My immediate sense regarding adapting the book was that I wanted to draw out the emotion and Chris Columbus seemed to respond to that when we first met,” she said.
Chris opened up about how he initially became involved in the project, admitting the first scripts were not to his liking.
He said: “I was a fan of the books, but the initial scripts I read veered far from the novel. I felt that this was a mistake and I wanted to preserve what everyone loved about the book.
The Thursday Murder Club boasts an A-List cast(Image: Netflix)
“When I first met with the writer, Katy Brand, I was convinced that she not only understood what made the novel so incredibly popular with readers around the world.
“But she also had the vision to write a film that was faithful to the source material. Katy’s draft was wonderful.
“And it was because of that draft that we were able to get so many British acting legends to commit to our film.”
The film also stars Naomi Ackie as PC Donna De Freitas, Daniel Mays as DCI Chris Hudson, Tom Ellis as Jason Ritchie, Jonathan Pryce as Stephen Best and David Tennant as Ian Ventham.
The Thursday Murder Club airs on Netflix on August 28
