Richard E. Grant responds to claims he 'staged' Celeb Traitors blunder
WARNING: The Celebrity Traitor series two spoilers ahead
Last updated 16 hours ago
After being made a Traitor alongside Maya Jama during the opening episode of this year's The Celebrity Traitors, both Claudia Winkleman and fans at home had high hopes for actor Richard E. Grant.
However, just hours after discovering his fate, 69-year-old Richard hilariously revealed his identity during a public conversation with Faithful Joe Lycett, leaving viewers with their jaws on the floor.
Although the cast were torn about whether Richard was double bluffing them, he was later banished alongside Myha'la during the third episode.
As the record-breaking series continues every Thursday and Friday evening on the BBC, reports suggested that a number of workers on the show believed Richard actually 'staged' the slip-up, in order to leave the castle early.
However, Richard has now furiously hit back at the claims, calling them 'categorically false'.
Posting a short statement to his Instagram Story, the actor wrote: 'I usually wouldn't comment on things like this, but I've been made aware some press outlets are suggesting I 'staged' my traitors reveal to get out of filming. This is categorically false.
'I'm an avid fan of the show and have been since it first aired. Being picked as a Traitor when I was convinced I'd be a faithful was an absolute dream and a sheer shock to the system'. (sic)
READ MORE: Final date confirmed for The Celebrity Traitors
Richard's mishap did see him make history on the hit series, becoming the first Traitor to be discovered and banished during the first round table.
Unsurprisingly, the Faithful cast mates were delighted at their find and have since gone on to banish Traitor Professor Hannah Fry.
Original Traitor Maya Jama still remains, with Traitor recruits James Acaster and King King now by her side.
The Celebrity Traitors continues at 8pm on Thursday 22nd October on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Check out which celebs have turned down The Celebrity Traitors:
Liam Gallagher
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher would certainly be TV gold, but when a fan expressed their eagerness to see him on the show, he replied in classic Liam fashion, saying: 'I've been asked it's not my thing I'm not a celebrity'.
Lorraine Kelly
Despite having talks with producers about appearing on the first series of the show, Scottish TV presenter Lorraine ended up turning down the show due to her busy schedule!
Martin Lewis
He would be quite simply brilliant in that castle, but Martin Lewis is another name that turned down the show ahead of the first series! After seeing the amazing line-up, Martin shared on social media: 'I'm no Traitor, sadly. I've got FOMO looking at the Celebrity Traitors line-up. I was asked if I wanted to do it, but said no as I couldn't commit the time. I hadn't watched it then, but watched the last series after that and loved it. So now I feel a little gutted – though I still don't have the time. Sigh!'
Maybe next year?!
Miriam Margolyes
Despite fans calling her the 'perfect' signing, it appears actress Miriam Margolyes has no intention of appearing on The Celebrity Traitors. Speaking after the first series in 2025, Miriam said: "No! I was offered this job. No. Just recently and I can't think of anything I'd rather less do. No, I'm not into that. I've never watched it; I don't intend to watch it. There is some jolly good people doing it. And if they want to do it for money, well, that's fair enough but you won't get me on it."
Ricky Gervais
According to rumours, actor Ricky Gervais was one of the names at the top of the list for series one, but it sounds like he's not keen! The Alley Cats star told SAGA Magazine earlier this year: "It's not that it's beneath me. I'd love to play Traitors, but I don't want to be filmed playing. What good can come of that? I like watching MMA, I don't want to do it. I don't want to be doing something I'm not in control of. I don't want to be away from home playing a game with strangers."
Richard Osman
The legend that is Richard Osman was heavily rumoured to take part in the show ahead of the first series in 2025, but he didn't feature on the line-up! Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Richard confirmed the real reason he said no. He said: "I love Celebrity Traitors. I said I would only do it if I could be a Traitor. Only because I couldn't bear… if I was a Faithful, that thing where you go back to your room at night and you're just lying there.You know there's three people up in that tower, having a load of fun in cloaks and filming something.
"I'd just be lying there going, 'I could be murdered any second'. I wouldn't have that control. Obviously, they can't say 'yes, you can be a Traitor."
Baroness Karren Brady
Business woman and star of The Apprentice Baroness Karren Brady is another name to turn down the show! Speaking to Metro, she admitted: "I was asked and the answer was no. One, I've never seen it. Two, I don't have the time. I mean, I have a full-time job and The Apprentice is filmed just in my sweet spot in the summer when the football season is over, so I can just about fit in. But that's it."
Danny Dyer
He's been heavily rumoured for both series so far, but Danny Dyer hasn't yet appeared on the line-up! Speaking on his Live and Let Dyer podcast earlier in 2026, he said: "I'd never seen it so it was a 'no' from me because for one I hadn't seen it but now I'm into it…if you're going to do it, if your'e famous, it needs to be an indulgence project, you have to love the game. It's quite a simple game, I thought it was too complicated.. but it's actually just about people manipulating people and a lot of lying. If you're a faithful it's hard – you're trying to over act that you're a faithful and it backfires on you but yeah it's a good line-up and I'm enjoying it."
He did go on to admit he may consider it in the future if the money is right, adding: "So if the money's right… because I might get involved in the next series. I think I'd want to be a Traitor, there's triple bluffs, double bluffs – it's more fun to be a Traitor, you've got a job!"
Daisy May Cooper
Actress and funny woman Daisy May Cooper was reportedly signed for the first series alongside her brother Charlie, but the pair were forced to pull out just weeks before filming! Rumours were rife that she could make an appearance for the second series, but as we know, she isn't on the line-up!
Author: Alex Ross
Alex Ross is a Digital Content Editor across Rayo brands, including the Hits Radio Network, Greatest Hits Radio, KISS, Cool FM and Magic Radio. After beginning her career as a Marketing Intern with Bauer Media in 2016, she transitioned into digital editorial and has spent the past decade creating engaging content for millions of readers. Whether it’s reality shows, sitcoms, gritty crime dramas or hard-hitting documentaries, Alex is an expert in all things TV, as well as knowing the ins and outs of celebrities.