The Celeb Traitors fans divided over James Acaster's SHOCK confession
Nobody saw this coming! 😱
Last updated 12 hours ago
Bosses promised a bombshell that the show had never seen before, and the penultimate episode of this year's The Celebrity Traitors certainly didn't disappoint!
⚠️ WARNING: The below article contains serious spoilers ⚠️
Airing on Thursday 29th October, the tense episode kicked off with the conclusion of last week's round table, and it was up to Traitor Kenny to have the final vote. Changing his vote last minute, the former boxer was responsible for banishing comedian Joanne McNally.
With Joanne gone, the remaining Faithfuls headed back to their rooms, but Traitors Maya Jama, King Kenny and James Acaster had another murder to commit... this time getting rid of actress Sharon Rooney.
The following morning, as the group gathered for breakfast, the remaining contestants were shocked to learn about the killing of Sharon, before host Claudia Winkleman embarrassed them by revealing they'd only managed to catch two Traitors, whilst in turn getting rid of nine Faithfuls...
As if that wasn't enough drama, the group then took part in a hilarious challenge to win extra cash, but it was what happened at the end of the show that really left viewers in SHOCK and ANGUISH!
With another banishment taking place, and the likes of Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Michael Sheen and James Blunt all defending themselves, reluctant Traitor James Acaster chose to do something that has never been seen before.... REVEAL HIS TRUE IDENTITY!
After being accused of killing Ross Kemp in plain sight, poor James couldn't keep up the lies any more, telling the group: "I just want to explain my situation. I was made a Traitor without wanting to be.
"I've had a unique experience on this that no-one's had before, I wanted be a Faithful that's all I wanted to be but I couldn't just go 'guys its me, vote for me' but that's all I can do really."
He later said behind-the-scenes: "They got me. I've always been a Faithful at heart, a reluctant Traitor. I'm going to do what I've done this whole game, be completely honest."
Watch the shocking moment below:
READ MORE: The Celebrity Traitors: All of the celebs we'd love to see on series 3
After watching the drama unfold, viewers of the show were quick to take to social media to react.
Whilst others praised James' decision, not everybody was happy, with some even accusing him of 'ruining the game'.
One wrote: 'I don’t care if you didn’t want to be a traitor. Don’t go on the show then. It’s literally just a game. He ruined this whole season'. (sic)
Another added: 'James Acaster has ruined this season of Celebrity Traitors', with somebody else saying: 'Scrap the celeb version. If celebs can’t play the game properly then they shouldn’t be allowed to play at all!!! 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻'. (sic)
However, others were quick to praise his integrity. One wrote: 'James Acaster is such a classy gentleman. He did so well despite being so uncomfortable throughout the game'. (sic)
Another commented: 'Fantastic James 👏👏👏. In a world where we seem to be surrounded by people willing to compromise their values for power, status or personal gain, watching James choose to stay true to himself was so moving. A game where winning is everything, he chose integrity. Beautiful. ❤️'. (sic)
Somebody else wrote: 'Could not love this guy any more, what an absolute legend. You chose honesty above everything and you smashed it your way ❤️❤️'. (sic)
With James out, speculation between the remaining contestants is now rife, but can Maya and Kenny hold out until the end?!
The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a bumper 80-minute episode at 8pm on Friday 30th October.
Check out all of the celebs who've turned down The Celebrity Traitors in the past:
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'.
Hannah Waddingham
With many fans of the show saying Hannah Waddingham would be the perfect contestant, it seems the actress isn't keen herself! The Ted Lasso star revealed on The Jennifer Hudson Show in October 2026 that she was asked to take part, saying: "I was asked to be on the first Celebrity Traitors in the UK. My great buddy Nick Mohammed from Ted Lasso is on it and I nearly did because I knew he was going to be on it, but I'm a great big scaredy cat.
"This whole thing with the hoods and burying people alive - I don't care whether there's a crew there or not. Hell no. No. No. I'm going to watch at home with a nice red wine and some crisps."
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.