Julie Hesmondhalgh's Starstruck Debut on "Celebrity Traitors" Captivates Viewers

The second series of "Celebrity Traitors" has already seen dramatic twists, including Richard E. Grant revealing himself as a traitor and Ross Kemp accusing Bella Ramsey of murder. However, it is "Coronation Street" actress Julie Hesmondhalgh who has captured the audience's attention and affection.

In the opening moments of the latest episode, Hesmondhalgh, 56, endeared herself to both viewers and her fellow contestants with her unfeigned enthusiasm and starstruck demeanor. Upon entering the estate chapel, she was observed greeting castmates like singer James Blunt and "Industry" star Myha'la with visible excitement. "It's lovely to meet you. I'm such a big fan Myha'la. I've watched all of Industry," she told her.

Hesmondhalgh also expressed her admiration for Oscar-nominated actor Richard E. Grant. She admitted to feeling starstruck and a "hunger for friendship with people that I know off the telly," expressing a hope to temper these feelings during the game.

Viewers took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share their delight. "Julie Hesmondhalgh looking like she's just delighted to have been invited to the castle is already one of my favourite things about this series," one user commented. Another echoed the sentiment, writing, "I'm loving Julie, going to the people she loves the most from the telly! this will be a great series!" Some fans noted the irony of the actress, known for her iconic role as Hayley Cropper, being starstruck, with one user posting, "julie hesmondhalgh being starstruck like she isn't literally hayley cropper #traitors."

Prior to the show's premiere, Hesmondhalgh shared her anxieties about the game's demands in a BBC behind-the-scenes video. She spoke of the challenges of packing for the varied activities, which included "running around, exercising, dinner parties. The funerals." She also mentioned packing essentials such as books, a paint set, a writing pad, and "HRT bum patches."

The launch episode of "Celebrity Traitors" drew significant viewership, attracting over 9 million viewers overnight, making it the biggest-ever launch for "The Traitors" in the UK. The episode peaked at just over 9 million viewers and averaged 8.9 million, surpassing previous season premieres, including the first celebrity version which garnered 6.5 million peak viewers. Total viewership is expected to increase as figures from iPlayer streaming are accounted for.

"Celebrity Traitors" continues on Friday nights at 8 p.m. on BBC One.