Celebrity Traitors season two fails to match first series impact

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

The second season of BBC's Celebrity Traitors is underperforming compared to the first, with contestants appearing less engaged in the game's intrigue.

The second season of Celebrity Traitors has struggled to replicate the success of its first outing. Metro reports that celebrities are not taking the game as seriously as participants in the original civilian version, with less interest in the intrigue, mystery and betrayal that define the programme. The i Paper notes that the opening episode showed promise with Richard E Grant as a potential source of chaos, but his accidental revelation of his Traitor status within moments of being recruited led to his early elimination.

Both outlets identify the absence of high stakes as a contributing factor. Metro observes that unlike the original Traitors, there is no life-changing prize money at stake for the celebrities, and unlike the US version they are competing on behalf of charities rather than for personal gain. The i Paper suggests that famous contestants are too media-trained and aware of their public image to engage fully with the game, describing the series as feeling like 'an extended showbiz retreat, full of famous people being nice to each other in a castle'. The opening episode also saw recruited turncoats Hannah Fry and James Acaster reluctant to prey upon other contestants, with Joe Lycett openly advertising his desire to become a Traitor.

How it is being reported

• The Celebrity Traitors has lost its spark – and I know exactly whyWith the most traitorous celebrities gone early doors, this series is starting to feel like a slogThe i Paper · 17 Oct, 06:00
• Celebrity Traitors isn’t living up to last season because of a fatal flawThe stars don’t seem as interested in the intrigue, mystery and betrayal that define the programme.Metro · 15 Oct, 21:05

In this story: BBC · Richard E Grant · Alan Carr · Hannah Fry · James Acaster · Joe Lycett · Inverness

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem