Richard E. Grant's 'Celebrity Traitors' Debut Marred by Early Revelation
The actor inadvertently revealed his 'Traitor' status minutes into the show, following his late wife's advice to find joy.
Actor Richard E. Grant made a memorable, albeit brief, debut on the second series of BBC's "Celebrity Traitors," inadvertently revealing his role as a Traitor within minutes of the show's premiere. The 69-year-old star was among 21 contestants participating in the game, held at a Scottish castle.
Grant shared that just days before his wife Joan's death in September 2021, she advised him to "try and find a pocket full of happiness in each day." He expressed his delight at being chosen as a Traitor, telling the camera he felt he had a "wheelbarrow full" of happiness. However, this unbridled joy led to his downfall. While conversing with fellow contestant Joe Lycett, Grant, with a grin, confirmed he was a Traitor when asked directly.
Lycett noted Grant's action as an unprecedented move in the game. Social media users reacted to the gaffe with a mix of amusement and speculation, with some suggesting it was a deliberate double-bluff. "Na he’s actually lost his head in the first 5 minutes bless him," one user posted on X.
Fellow contestant Jerry Hall defended Grant, stating she knew him well and that he "says and does eccentric things." She suggested his behavior might be a reaction to not being chosen as a Traitor, a sentiment Grant later echoed, calling his premature reveal "the biggest mistake I have ever made."
Grant's wife, Joan, a dialect coach, died eight months after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. The couple had been married for 35 years and shared a daughter, Olivia. Grant has previously spoken about his grief journey on Instagram and shared how becoming a grandfather has reinforced his perspective on life's finite nature.
"Celebrity Traitors" features a lineup of notable figures including Maya Jama, Ross Kemp, Michael Sheen, Rob Beckett, Sharon Rooney, Joanne McNally, Amol Rajan, King Kenny, Sebastian Croft, Jerry Hall, James Blunt, Miranda Hart, Romesh Ranganathan, James Acaster, Bella Ramsey, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Joe Lycett, Hannah Fry, Julie Hesmondhalgh, and Myha'la.