Richard E Grant Blunders Big on Celebrity Traitors

Actor Richard E. Grant revealed his status as a Traitor to fellow contestants in the opening episode of “Celebrity Traitors,” a move he later described as “the biggest mistake I’ve made in my life.” The reality competition, which takes place at Ardross Castle in the Highlands, features a cast of 21 celebrities competing for a £100,000 prize for charity, Variety reported.

Grant’s Confession at Ardross Castle

Shortly after being selected as one of two Traitors alongside “Love Island” host Maya Jama, Grant disclosed his identity to a room of competitors. According to Variety, Grant asked the group, “What’s the point in being in the game if you’re not?” while contestants expressed visible shock. Comedian Joe Lycett attempted to mitigate the damage by encouraging Grant to claim he was joking and was actually a Faithful. Despite the blunder, Grant remained in the game through the end of the episode.

Reporting from Metro.co.uk suggests that Grant’s admission was so direct that some participants remained convinced he was a Faithful. Model and actress Jerry Hall echoed this sentiment, stating, “I’ve known him for over 30 years, and he says and does eccentric things. I think he is acting out because he hasn’t been chosen.”

Strategic Shifts and Recruitment

Following the mistake, Grant and Jama moved to solidify their position by recruiting comedian James Acaster and University Challenge presenter Amol Rajan. The Traitors had previously discussed protecting actor Ross Kemp from a “buried alive” mission to avoid drawing suspicion to him. Acaster noted in a flashback, “I think if we give it to Ross, he’ll overthink it, and behave in a way that would draw suspicion.”

The mission itself involved celebrities being buried in pairs. While most were released, Jerry Hall and professor Hannah Fry were buried until Hall shouted the emergency word “Haggis!” to secure an early release. This action guaranteed that either Hall or Fry would be vulnerable to the Traitors in the next round of eliminations.

Production Context and Player Reactions

The cast for this season includes a wide array of performers, including Bella Ramsey, James Blunt, Julie Hesmondhalgh, King Kenny, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Michael Sheen, Myha’la, Ross Kemp, Sebastian Croft, Sharon Rooney, and comedians Joanne McNally, Miranda Hart, Rob Beckett, and Romesh Ranganathan. Writing for Metro.co.uk, critics characterized the current season as having the “star power of a Bafta afterparty.”

The outlets differ slightly in their assessment of the gameplay. While Variety highlights the immediate danger Grant placed himself in, Metro.co.uk describes him as “the best casting decision imaginable,” noting the absurdity of his approach. Coverage emphasizes the complexity of the mission rules and the strategic maneuvering of the contestants during the burial challenge.

The Unresolved Cliffhanger

The first episode concluded on a cliffhanger, leaving the audience to wait for the outcome of the Traitors’ decision regarding the potential murder of another contestant. It remains unknown whether Grant’s initial disclosure will ultimately lead to his elimination or if his unconventional strategy will allow him to persist in the game. The series, which debuted its first season in October 2025, continues to stream on Peacock in the U.S.