Richard E. Grant, aged 69, admitted to being a "Traitor" on a live TV show just minutes after taking an oath to keep his identity secret, causing a stir among cast members and viewers alike. During a conversation with comedian Joe Lycett, Grant revealed his role with a grin, despite the potential consequences of breaking the game's rules. Fans debated whether this was a strategic move or a mistake, while fellow contestant Jerry Hall defended Grant, suggesting he might be playing an eccentric character rather than genuinely being a traitor.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-02,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Celebrity Traitors, a popular BBC show, is returning for its second series on Thursday, May 18th, at 20:00 BST. The new season features 21 celebrities, including actors like Michael Sheen and Julie Hesmondhalgh, comedians such as James Blunt and Rob Beckett, and content creators like King Kenny. Contestants will compete for a £100,000 cash prize to be donated to charity based on their performance in tasks designed to outwit each other.
In the first episode, the celebrities were divided into Traitors and Faithfuls, with Claudia Winkleman revealing only two traitors initially. This departure from tradition left viewers shocked, especially when veteran actor Richard E Grant declared himself a traitor just minutes after arriving at the castle, leaving many in disbelief about his honesty or bluffing skills.
Executive producer Sarah Fay emphasized that the show aims to evolve and push boundaries each year, incorporating fresh ideas while maintaining its core format. This season will air twice weekly on Thursdays and Fridays, with 10 episodes total, up from last year's nine. Additionally, BBC One, iPlayer, and Sounds will broadcast a spin-off series titled Uncloaked, hosted by comedian Ed Gamble. The first episode concluded on a cliffhanger, leaving fans eager to see who the traitors select as their first victims or allies in the upcoming episodes.
Written for “Celebrity Traitors Show Return” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 25 other(s) covering the same event.
When Claudia Winkleman swore in Richard E. Grant and Maya Jama as Traitors, they formally took an oath and pledged to commit deception.
asserted
they → swear → deception
Yet just minutes after he promised to keep his identity a secret – Richard made the biggest slip-up in Celebrity Traitors history.
asserted
Richard → promise → history
The actor, 69, who is tipped to be the nation's favourite, has already caused a stir amongst the cast.
asserted
who → tip → cast
Millions tuned in as deception, betrayal and backstabbing once again gripped the nation during the launch episode on Thursday night.
asserted
deception → tune → night
As Richard mingled with Faithful Joe Lycett in the lounge area, the comedian jumped straight in with the question: 'What are you?
asserted
you → mingle → question
'
'A Traitor,' Richard responded with a huge grin on his face.
asserted
Richard → respond → face
Unsure what to believe, Joe said: 'I think you've just done something that has never happened in the game... bold strategy.'
asserted
that → believe → game
Just minutes after he promised to keep his identity a secret – Richard E. Grant made the biggest slip-up in Celebrity Traitors history
The actor, 69, who is tipped to be the nation's favourite, has already caused a stir amongst the cast
Fans were left in hysterics with Richard's game plan and suggested on social media that Richard's slip-up was in fact carefully curated to call the comedian's bluff.
uncertain
up → promise → bluff
They wrote on X: 'Na he’s actually lost his head in the first 5 minutes bless him',
'If Richard double bluff works than fair play', 'half an hour in and i’ve decided richard is already a hall of fame traitors contestant #celebritytraitors #thetraitors',
'Richard being a traitor and then immediately telling everyone he’s a traitor',
Jerry Hall was quick to defend Richard after co-stars began to question if he was one of the Traitors.
'I just don't believe Richard is a Traitor,' she insisted.
asserted
she → write → Traitors
'I know Richard, I've known him 30 years, and he's my neighbour.
asserted
he → know → him
He says and does eccentric things.
asserted
He → say → things
He is an amazing guy, but he is acting out because he wasn't chosen.
asserted
he → act → ?
'
'That may be the biggest mistake I have ever made in my life', Richard said while contemplating his game tactics.
uncertain
Richard → make → tactics
As Richard mingled with Faithful Joe Lycett in the lounge area, the comedian jumped straight in with the question: 'What are you?
asserted
you → mingle → question
'A Traitor,' Richard responded with a huge grin on his face
Fans were left in hysterics with Richard's game plane and suggested on social media that Richard's slip-up was in fact carefully curated to call the comedian's bluff
He added: 'I was so thrilled to be picked as a Traitor but I clearly need to diffuse all the heat coming in my direction.'
uncertain
I → respond → direction
After both expressing an interest in exploring their murderous potential, it was the legendary actor and Maya Jama, 32, who took to the turret.
asserted
who → express → turret
A giggling Maya said to the camera: ‘Goodness.
asserted
Maya → giggle → camera
I don’t even know what to say!
asserted
I → know → what
I’m so excited.
asserted
I → ’m → ?
I wanted to bring a different side of me out, and here she is.
asserted
she → want → me
My villain era has begun.’
asserted
era → begin → ?
Richard added: ‘Yes!
asserted
Richard → add → ?
Absolutely thrilled, and I can’t wait to start murdering.
asserted
I → wait → ?
I cannot wait!’
asserted
I → wait → ?
Later in the episode, Richard opened up about the loss of his late wife Joan Washington.
asserted
Richard → open → wife
The actor met his late wife, Joan, in 1982, and they went on to tie the knot in 1986.
asserted
they → meet → 1986
They shared daughter Olivia, 34.
asserted
They → share → Olivia
Joan tragically passed away aged 74, in September 2021, eight months after she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
Richard opened up on his grief five years since his wife of 38 years died, sharing a sweet message she told him just days before she passed away.
asserted
she → pass → him
He said: 'My wife said to me four days before she died, "Richard, try and find a pocket full of happiness in each day and I feel like I've got a wheelbarrow full and then some".
asserted
I → say → wheelbarrow
'That may be the biggest mistake I have ever made in my life', Richard said while contemplating his game tactics later in the episode
Maya was left in hysterics after realising Richard's game plan as they met for the first time in the turret
This series has attracted some huge names including James Blunt, Miranda Hart, Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett.
uncertain
series → make → Blunt
However it is Michael Sheen who emerged as the surprise favourite to win the show, in odds revealed hours before the BBC hit made its long-awaited return.
asserted
hit → emerge → return
Odds have now given a hint of how this new series could play out, with Michael currently the bookies' favourite to win the entire show.
uncertain
Michael → give → show
Figures published by ActionNetwork.com say the Good Omens star has odds of 7/2 to triumph, though whether he is chosen to be a Traitor remains to be seen.
asserted
chosen → publish → 7/2
In second place is actor Richard E Grant with odds of 9/2, while The Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey rounds out the top three with 5/1.
asserted
Ramsey → round → 5/1
Singer James Blunt and actress & comedian Miranda Hart are tied in fourth place as the next most likely to win The Celebrity Traitors, both with odds of 11/2.
asserted
both → tie → 11/2
An ActionNetwork.com spokesman said: 'Ahead of the start of series 2 of The Celebrity Traitors, Michael Sheen tops the winner odds list at 7/2, and it's easy to see why - as an accomplished actor, he has the range to convincingly play a traitor, and could well end up filling the ''big dog'' role Jonathan Ross took on last series.
uncertain
Ross → say → role
Later in the episode, Richard opened up about the loss of his late wife Joan Washington who died in 2021 following a battle with lung cancer (both pictured 2012)
asserted
both → open → cancer
Meanwhile, Richard E. Grant follows closely with winning odds of 9/2; Grant has shades of Stephen Fry about him - the wise-figure archetype who went far last time round, equally capable of playing a cunning traitor or being a trusted faithful.
asserted
who → follow → traitor
'Turning to the most likely contestants to be named a traitor this series, since Claudia & the producers might again lean on a comedian for that role, Romesh Ranganathan leads that market at 5/2 - though with Alan Carr's victorious traitor run still fresh in everyone's minds, the comedians on this cast may find themselves facing extra suspicion from the start.'
uncertain
themselves → turn → start
Last year's launch episode attracted more than six million viewers.
asserted
episode → attract → viewers
…and 3 more, not listed.
The Aporia
