Celebrity Traitors shaken by bombshell admission in penultimate episode

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 30 Oct, 00:04 · Archive

James Acaster admitted being a Traitor during the roundtable and was promptly banished in Thursday's penultimate episode.

James Acaster was banished from Celebrity Traitors in Thursday's penultimate episode after admitting he was a Traitor during the roundtable discussion. The confession came after Acaster struggled to defend himself when fellow contestants questioned him about Ross Kemp's murder, which had been carried out in plain sight earlier in the series.

Acaster told the group: "I was made a Traitor without wanting to be. I've had a unique experience on this that no-one's had before, where I wanted to be a Faithful and that's all I've wanted to be." He explained that he had deliberately pointed out the perfume bottles that killed Kemp. Acaster said that when he entered the castle, he told host Claudia Winkleman all he wanted was to be a Faithful and help catch Traitors.

The admission came at a dramatic point in the episode. Michael Sheen had spent weeks pursuing wrong leads but finally turned his focus to the murder in plain sight, directing suspicion towards both Maya Jama and Acaster. After receiving the most votes at the roundtable, Acaster was banished.

The episode also featured another twist earlier in the proceedings. King Kenny, one of the remaining Traitors alongside Maya Jama, used his special power of a double vote to banish Joanne McNally, despite the split vote from the previous roundtable having left both McNally and Sharon Rooney in danger. Both women were Faithfuls, meaning the Traitors landed another blow heading into Friday's finale.

Acaster's confession marks only the second time this series a Traitor has revealed their identity to the Faithfuls voluntarily. According to reports before the episode aired, producers described the twist as unprecedented and one that might never be seen on the show again. The penultimate episode sets up Friday's finale with Maya Jama and King Kenny as the remaining Traitors.

How it is being reported

• Bombshell confession in The Traitors as faithfuls finally turn the screwCould the faithfuls finally come good in Thursday's penultimate episode?BBC News · 29 Oct, 23:44
• Bombshell at round table sparks chaos in Celebrity TraitorsA stunning admission flipped the game on its head ahead of Friday’s finaleEvening Standard · 29 Oct, 21:56
• Celebrity Traitors is finally brilliant but tonight’s bombshell can’t be repeatedThe show has revved up to the pace of last season at the very last minute.Metro · 29 Oct, 21:05
• Celebrity Traitors hit by 'sensational' bombshell that has 'never been seen' on showThe all-star competition series comes to an end on Friday - but one final twist has left fans open-mouthedEvening Standard · 29 Oct, 17:45
• Celebrity Traitors to be rocked by ‘game-changing bombshell’ in tonight’s episode'The producers of the show certainly didn’t predict it.'Metro · 29 Oct, 07:54

In this story: James Acaster · Maya Jama · King Kenny · Michael Sheen · Joanne McNally · Sharon Rooney · BBC

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