Richard E. Grant Denies Sabotaging 'Celebrity Traitors' Appearance

Richard E. Grant has denied allegations that he deliberately orchestrated an early exit from the BBC's "Celebrity Traitors" by revealing his identity as a Traitor in the show's first episode. Grant, 69, was the first contestant to be banished after telling comedian Joe Lycett and his fellow contestants that he had been selected as a Traitor.

Reports suggested that Grant was "there for a good time, not a long time," implying he intentionally sought a brief appearance. However, Grant addressed these claims on social media, stating, "This is categorically false. I'm an avid fan of the show and have been since it first aired."

He explained that being chosen as a Traitor, when he believed he would be a Faithful, was a "dream" and a "sheer shock to the system." Grant also recounted an earlier incident where he mistakenly revealed his Traitor status during an interview four months before the show's broadcast. Radio presenters Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie confirmed that they had to edit out his admission from their show to avoid spoiling the series. "People were saying when Joe Lycett said to him on Traitors, 'What are you?' and he says 'Traitor' that was his downfall," Radcliffe stated, "but if they had been listening in June, you would have heard that he revealed it earlier."

Despite the breaches of the show's strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which can carry fines of over £100,000, the BBC is reportedly taking no further action against Grant.

"The Celebrity Traitors" has experienced several security scares related to leaks. "Players have once again been reminded about keeping the outcome of the game to themselves following a number of incidents," a BBC insider noted. The show's executive producer, Sarah Fay, described Grant's admission as a "mixture of a little bit of sick coming up in my mouth and a punch at the same time," adding that it was unprecedented in the show's history. Presenter Claudia Winkleman, while reminding Grant of his obligations, called the moment "iconic."

Elsewhere, fellow contestant Julie Hesmondhalgh revealed she had to leave the "Celebrity Traitors" WhatsApp group to avoid spoilers from her castmates. "People were sharing who'd won at one point, and me and a couple of other people removed ourselves because we just don't want to know," she said on BBC Breakfast.