Celebrity Traitors 2026 has returned, surprising fans with a twist: only two initial traitors were chosen instead of three, as in previous seasons. This change led to fan reactions ranging from excitement over the "iconic" choices to disappointment and suspicion about Richard Grant's behavior, which included openly admitting he was a traitor before backtracking. The episode also saw these two traitors picking among Faithful contestants for their third member, setting up suspense about who will be recruited and who might face elimination.
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.
Celebrity Traitors 2026 fan reaction: 'Most obvious Traitor of all time' and a jaw-dropping cliffhanger
Celebrity Traitors is finally back on our screens, and new format twists and unbelievable blunders have already got fans in disbelief.
asserted
twists → drop → disbelief
Fresh off the success of last year’s initial season, which saw Traitor Alan Carr emerge victorious, this year’s season has already got us hooked to our screens.
asserted
us → see → screens
Here are the standout moments of the first episode and what the fans are thinking so far.
asserted
fans → think → what
After getting settled into their new home for the next few weeks, the stars had the opportunity to sit down with Winkleman and reveal whether they wanted to become Traitors or Faithfuls.
asserted
they → settle → Winkleman
A main stay in the show, this was nothing new, however, the following scene at the round table left viewers shocked.
asserted
scene → follow → viewers
In a show first, Winkleman only picked two Traitors to begin their journey of treachery and deception.
asserted
Winkleman → pick → treachery
Last year, Carr was picked alongside Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns as the traditional trio of traitors.
asserted
Carr → pick → traitors
“Only two Traitors?,” questioned one stunned fan, whilst another said “Am I missing something or did we only see two people picked for Traitors?”
asserted
people → question → Traitors
Some fans were pleased with Winkleman’s initial choice, labelling the stars as “iconic”, though not everyone felt the same.
asserted
everyone → please → stars
“I was disappointed with the choice of Traitors..
asserted
I → disappoint → Traitors
I don’t think Richard will last long,” said one.
asserted
one → think → ?
Another added: “Maya was too much of an obvious choice for me.”
asserted
Maya → add → me
Richard gives away the game?
asserted
Richard → give → game
After being selected, Richard wasted no time in trying to play the game and outmanoeuvre his fellow contestants - but did it work?
asserted
it → select → contestants
Lycett appeared taken aback and asked: “Are you?” before Grant replied that he saw no point in playing if he was not a Traitor.
asserted
he → appear → point
Those present to the conversation immediately looked suspicious, with James Blunt describing Grant's approach as “an interesting angle”.
asserted
Blunt → look → angle
Grant later appeared to backtrack, stating: “I'm a faithful,” though his u-turn statement failed to reassure some of his fellow contestants.
asserted
statement → appear → contestants
In his confessional, he said in his "unguarded excitement", he revealed his true role rather than lying.
asserted
he → say → role
Fans were both delighted and stumped by the bizarre behaviour.
“I am absolutely howling at richard grant just openly admitting to being a traitor and everyone just being completely gagged they’re speechless,” said one.
asserted
one → delight → admitting
“My mouth dropped,” said a second, whilst a third added: “I’m obsessed.”
asserted
I → drop → ?
The duo becomes a trio
Winkleman revealed to the duo of Traitors that their time as a pair would be short-lived, as they would need to recruit a third member.
asserted
they → reveal → member
Jama and Grant were told that they would need to pick two people who would need to pitch themselves to the Traitors and argue why they should join the pack.
asserted
they → tell → pack
The successful Faithful would be recruited, whilst the other would be murdered.
asserted
other → recruit → ?
We don’t have to wait long to find out.
asserted
We → have → ?
Fans were mixed on the choice of Rajan and Acaster, with many despairing that one of the stars will be the first to exit the show.
“This is such a shame that either of Amol Rajan and James Acaster goes in the first episode of Traitors!
asserted
either → mix → Traitors
One of the worst things about this show is entertaining people leaving early,” said one.
asserted
one → entertain → people
“Whoever lives out of Amol and James should immediately throw Richard under the bus with Maya, reset and start again without suspicion.
asserted
lives → live → suspicion
Covering for him will get them all caught,” added a second.
asserted
second → cover → him
The Aporia
