Richard E. Grant Denies Sabotaging 'Celebrity Traitors' Exit

Richard E. Grant has strongly denied allegations that he intentionally revealed himself as a Traitor in the first episode of "The Celebrity Traitors" to engineer an early departure from the BBC show. Grant, 69, was the first contestant to be banished after he disclosed his Traitor status to comedian Joe Lycett, who had asked him directly.

Reports suggested Grant was "there for a good time, not a long time," implying he 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. Being picked as a Traitor when I was convinced I'd be a Faithful was an absolute dream and a sheer shock to the system."

Grant explained that when Lycett asked about his role, he thought it was a playful remark, as he believed others would also claim to be Traitors. "When he [Joe Lycett] said 'are you a Traitor?' we had just come out of being nominated and I thought 'yeah, isn't everybody going to say that?' and they didn't, so I paid the price," he told Victoria Derbyshire.

This incident was not the first time Grant had inadvertently revealed information about the show. Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie recounted on their Radio 6 Music show that Grant had mentioned being a Traitor during an interview in June, months before the series aired. The show's producers reportedly had to edit parts of that interview to avoid spoilers.

Contestants on "The Traitors," including the celebrity version, are bound by strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), with potential fines of over £100,000 for breaches. The BBC is reportedly aware of Grant's interview slip-up and will not take further action. Executive producer Sarah Fay described Grant's confession as a shock, noting, "We’ve never had anything like that happen before. I mean, what? Within five minutes of being out of the Round Table, he’d already mucked up."

Despite the on-air gaffe, host Claudia Winkleman acknowledged Grant's moment, remarking, "Can I say already: iconic."

Other contestants have also faced challenges with secrecy. Julie Hesmondhalgh revealed she had to leave the show's WhatsApp group to avoid spoilers from her fellow cast members, while Joanne McNally confirmed on her podcast that she knows who wins the competition. Reports have also emerged of the season's outcome being leaked by someone close to a player.