Comedian James Acaster has been banished from The Celebrity Traitors in dramatic fashion after admitting to his fellow contestants during the penultimate episode’s roundtable that he was reluctantly operating as a Traitor.
The explosive exit on the BBC series followed a tense discussion regarding Ross Kemp’s plain sight murder, during which Acaster struggled to defend his positioning and ultimately confessed his secret role to the group. Acaster told his fellow contestants that he was made a Traitor without wanting to be, explaining that he had a unique experience where his sole desire was to be a Faithful and help catch actual Traitors.
What You Need to Know About the Roundtable Shocker
- James Acaster confessed to being a Traitor during the penultimate episode after failing to defend his actions regarding Ross Kemp’s plain sight murder.
- Actor Michael Sheen led the charge against Acaster at the roundtable, pointing out that Acaster was the only player who did not leave the library during the murder.
- Myha’la became the second casualty of the episode following a heated exchange with mathematician Fry over a contested shield in the crypt.
Michael Sheen Drives the Charge as Strategic Fault Lines Emerge
The roundtable atmosphere turned toxic as veteran actor Michael Sheen steered the group’s suspicion straight toward Acaster. Sheen pointed out a crucial detail in the gameplay: Acaster was the sole contestant who remained inside the library during Kemp’s murder. That observation broke open the room’s defensive wall.
Before his banishment, Acaster explained that he had purposely pointed out the perfume bottles used to kill Kemp. Receiving the highest number of votes at the roundtable, the comedian reflected on his strange run in the castle. When I came into this experience I told Claudia that all I wanted to be was a Faithful, and all I wanted to do is go around this castle and try and help the Faithfuls as much as possible catching Traitors,
Acaster stated to the group.
In a subsequent cutaway interview, he added: I’m glad that I was so Faithful, that I couldn’t make it to the end as a Traitor.
Meanwhile, other contestants faced severe cross-examination. James Blunt accused Michael Sheen of acting as the “father” of the group who had misdirected the Faithfuls, while comedian Romesh Ranganathan turned his sights on Blunt, suggesting the group should target quieter players like Acaster and Maya Jama.
BREAKING 🚨 James Acaster has been banished from #TheCelebrityTraitors after outing himself as a Traitor at the roundtable! pic.twitter.com/GcusYITMJ5
Crypt Confrontations Lead to Myha’la’s Banishment
While Acaster’s confession dominated the endgame, tension boiled over earlier in the episode during a chaotic mission in the crypt. bbc.co.uk reported that actress Myha’la became the primary target after struggling to justify her aggressive scramble to secure a protective shield before attempting to hand it off.
I’ve heard my name a whole bunch today,
Myha’la acknowledged to the room. Becoming visibly emotional, she tried to explain her frantic actions underground. I was going to give it to her. I was worried about my protection, but I thought maybe she had more heat,
she said through tears regarding Fry.
Sensing vulnerability, Fry pressed the advantage publicly at the table. Why would you scrabble for the shield, and then be keen to give it away?
Fry asked. Despite a scattered distribution of votes, Myha’la was eliminated, confirming her Faithful status on her way out. Afterward, observant player Hart noted Fry’s calculated orchestration, remarking with a smile that Miss Marple is so on.
Traitors Select Target in Turret
With the castle numbers dwindling following the earlier murder of actress Sharon Rooney and the banishment of comedian Joanne McNally ahead of Friday’s final, the remaining Traitors gathered in the turret to select their next target. bbc.co.uk reported.
True to form, Acaster offered a characteristically dry rationale for targeting James Blunt before his exit. It would make my life easier,
Acaster reasoned, because every time someone says ‘James’, I’m turning around, and half the time, it’s for him.
| Contestant | Role / Status | Key Incident |
|---|---|---|
| James Acaster | Banished Traitor (Reluctant) | Confessed at roundtable after failing to defend. |
| Myha’la | Banished Faithful | Targeted after a controversial scramble for a shield in the crypt. |
| Joanne McNally | Banished Contestant | Eliminated ahead of Friday’s series final. |
| Sharon Rooney | Murdered Contestant | Removed prior to the turbulent roundtable episode. |
The fallout from Acaster’s unprecedented confession and the ruthless maneuvering by players like Sheen and Fry sets the stage for a volatile Friday night finale as the remaining Faithfuls and Traitors collide.
