Joe Lycett Demands Rule Change After 'Celebrity Traitors' Gaffe

Celebrity Traitors star Joe Lycett has called for a significant rule change in the game after his own dramatic banishment from the show. The comedian, 38, believes a new clause should be introduced to allow a banished Faithful to be recruited by the Traitors, a fate he still wishes to experience.

Lycett's elimination occurred during Friday night's episode when a slip-up at the round table led the majority of contestants to vote him out. He had previously been open about his desire to be recruited as a Traitor, a sentiment that fueled suspicion among his fellow players.

During the spin-off show, The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked, Lycett directly addressed the show's producers, stating, "I’d like to motivate the Traitors to find an unknown clause in the contract that can bring back a Faithful that's been banished to recruit because I'm there if they want me!"

Lycett's exit stemmed from a conversation at the round table where he discussed hypothetical scenarios. He explained, "Let's say they were down to two last night and they recruited, there's so much heat on me for what I was doing last night that there's a good chance that I'll go tonight, which means that they will then have to recruit again tonight, denying them of murder." This statement was interpreted by other contestants as an implication that he was a Traitor.

James Blunt, another contestant, questioned Lycett's statement, noting, "I thought you said, if they banish me tonight, they will have to recruit another person tomorrow, which would imply..." This exchange ultimately sealed Lycett's fate.

Despite his banishment, Lycett offered advice to the remaining Faithfuls, urging them to "stop voting in a block and experiment with voting with their heart and their instincts, rather than following what happens at the Round Table." He suggested this approach might yield better results.

Lycett's desire to become a Traitor was a recurring theme. He had expressed his hopes to both Maya Jama and James Acaster, who ultimately chose to recruit King Kenny instead of Lycett. When the contestants gathered for breakfast, aware that a recruitment had occurred, Lycett declared his innocence, stating, "It wasn't me!"

During his farewell at the round table, Lycett expressed his enjoyment of the game, stating, "Absolutely loved it. Like a total dream." He added, "I do sort of feel like we are all a family now and, as such, expect to be in all of your wills. Very sad to be going, but what a wonderful group of people." He reiterated his unfulfilled wish: "I always wanted to start as a Faithful and end as a Traitor. I started as a Faithful, and I did not get my wish. I am a Faithful."

Fellow contestant Miranda Hart admitted she could not vote against Lycett, despite the perceived rule of emotion. "Forgive me for doing the cardinal rule of letting emotion get to me; I've put Ross," she said, referencing Ross Kemp, before directly telling Lycett, "I physically couldn't write your name down."