Richard E. Grant Declares Himself a Traitor Minutes After Joining 'Celebrity Traitors'

In a move that has already become a historic moment in the game show's short history, actor Richard E. Grant declared himself a "Traitor" mere minutes after being sworn in on the premiere of 'The Traitors.' The incident occurred when Grant, an actor known for his roles in films like 'Withnail & I,' was mingling with contestant Joe Lycett in the lounge area.

Lycett directly asked Grant, "What are you?" To this, Grant responded with a grin, "A Traitor." Lycett expressed disbelief, noting that Grant had "just done something that has never happened in the game." Fans on social media speculated whether Grant's declaration was a deliberate bluff or a genuine misstep.

Grant, 69, was one of two contestants, alongside Maya Jama, who were secretly chosen as Traitors by host Claudia Winkleman. The game requires Traitors to deceive the other contestants, known as Faithfuls. After his slip-up, Grant acknowledged the predicament, stating, "That may be the biggest mistake I have ever made in my life." He added, "I was so thrilled to be picked as a Traitor but I clearly need to diffuse all the heat coming my way."

Fellow contestant Jerry Hall defended Grant, expressing doubt that he was a Traitor. "I just don't believe Richard is a Traitor," she said, attributing his behavior to eccentricity. "He says and does eccentric things. He is an amazing guy, but he is acting out because he wasn't chosen."

Later in the episode, Grant shared a poignant moment reflecting on the loss of his late wife, Joan Washington, who passed away in 2021 after a battle with lung cancer. He recalled a message she shared with him shortly before her death: "Richard, try and find a pocket full of happiness in each day and I feel like I've got a wheelbarrow full and then some."

Maya Jama, who was also revealed as a Traitor, expressed her excitement for the "villain era" of the game. "Goodness. I don't even know what to say! I'm so excited," she said. "I wanted to bring a different side of me out, and here she is. My villain era has begun."

The new season features a lineup of well-known figures, including James Blunt, Miranda Hart, Romesh Ranganathan, and Rob Beckett. Odds revealed before the show's premiere indicated Michael Sheen as the favorite to win, with Richard E. Grant following closely. The show's launch episode drew millions of viewers, with pubs and bars across Britain hosting viewing events.