The latest season of "Celebrity Traitors" kicked off with an explosive premiere, quickly establishing actor Richard E. Grant as a standout figure. Viewers have already lauded Grant, 69, as an "icon" for his unconventional approach to the game, with many drawing parallels between his behavior and that of last season's winner, Alan Carr.
Early in the episode, both Grant and Maya Jama were selected as Traitors. In a surprising move, Grant inadvertently revealed his Traitor status to fellow contestant Joe Lycett just moments after being chosen. "I think you've just done something that has never happened in the game... bold strategy," Lycett remarked. Grant himself acknowledged the risky tactic, stating it "may have been the biggest mistake of his life."
This slip-up, coupled with his generally eccentric demeanor, led fans on social media to compare him to Alan Carr, who masked his own Traitor role with a similar joyful, often giggling, approach. "Alan Carr walked so Richard Grant could run," one viewer posted on X, while another commented, "Richard E Grant may have already out done Alan Carr's performance and we're only on the first episode."
Despite Grant's early gaffe, some contestants, like Jerry Hall, defended him. "I just don't believe Richard is a Traitor... He says and does eccentric things," Hall stated, attributing his behavior to him not being initially chosen as a Traitor. Hall, who has known Grant for 30 years, expressed confidence in his character.
A Tense Decision
The premiere also featured a dramatic cliffhanger involving comedian James Acaster and broadcaster Amol Rajan. After being tasked with choosing between them to join their ranks as a third Traitor, Grant and Jama left the decision unresolved, forcing viewers to wait for the next episode to learn who would be murdered and who would continue.
Both Acaster and Rajan made their cases to be recruited. Acaster, aiming to appear as a Faithful, stated, "I think currently everyone is convinced I’m a Faithful. I’ve been pushing your name [points to Grant]. I’m pretty confident I’m the right decision." Rajan presented himself as a strategic asset, noting, "I have no heat on me whatsoever, and that is going to be useful... I do think I am uniquely placed to take the heat off you. I’m here because I sniff out lies for a living."
Fans have expressed strong opinions about the potential elimination of Acaster, with many pleading for him to remain in the competition. "We simply cannot lose James Acaster after one ep," read one comment, with others echoing the sentiment that his departure would be a significant loss so early in the season.