James Acaster, a contestant on "Celebrity Traitors," has shared that he contemplated leaving the show even before his dramatic semi-final reveal as a Traitor. Acaster disclosed that a particularly unnerving challenge involving being buried alive in coffins, alongside a reported "toxic" environment and a feud with fellow contestants, led him to consider quitting the competition.
During an interview with Far Out Magazine, Acaster described the coffin challenge as a moment where he felt genuinely scared. He recalled that even before the soil was placed on top, his co-star Bella Brozicevic expressed concern about their ability to be extricated. Actress Jerry Hall opted out of the challenge entirely, a decision Acaster now views as a missed opportunity for himself and others to collectively withdraw from the show.
"I respect Jerry the most because Jerry just went, 'I'm not doing this.' Like, are you kidding me?" Acaster said. "And the rest of us were just like, 'We want to win Traitors in our coffins, idiots.' We should have just done what – as soon as I heard Jerry got out, I should have said to Bella, 'I'm getting out, forget it. If it's a free-for-all now, we should all get out. They can't stop us all. We could all do it.'"
Acaster's eventual reveal as a Traitor occurred during the series' penultimate episode. The pressure of the game reportedly became overwhelming for him following his admission, leading to an anxious state that prompted show bosses to pause filming. An insider told the Daily Mail that Acaster was finding it difficult to cope, and the decision was made to stop filming to prevent things from escalating.
Acaster has been open about his mental health in the past, discussing his experiences with anxiety and depression in his stand-up routines and interviews. He has previously spoken about how neurodivergence shapes his perspective and creative process, and in 2020, he shared his struggles with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. He has also detailed instances where he experienced intense anxiety during past relationships and suicidal thoughts after a breakup, leading him to seek therapy.
His admission on "Celebrity Traitors" has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewers criticizing his move so close to the finale, while friends and colleagues have defended him. Sources close to Acaster admitted they were unaware of his struggles on the show due to the non-disclosure agreements common in such productions.