Celebrity Traitors 2026: New season sees shakeup as fans react to ‘most obvious Traitor of all time’

Celebrity Traitors is finally back on our screens, and new format twists and unbelievable blunders have already got fans in disbelief.

The second season of the beloved BBC show returned on Thursday, October 1, with 21 stars arriving in the Scottish Highlands for the ultimate game of back-stabbing, debauchery and lies.

Fresh off the success of last year’s initial season, which saw Traitor Alan Carr emerge victorious, this year’s season has already got us hooked to our screens.

The contestants sat at the round table blindfolded as the Traitors were chosen

CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry

Here are the standout moments of the first episode and what the fans are thinking so far.

Only two traitors

After getting settled into their new home for the next few weeks, the stars had the opportunity to sit down with Winkleman and reveal whether they wanted to become Traitors or Faithfuls.

A main stay in the show, this was nothing new, however, the following scene at the round table left viewers shocked.

Maya Jama is one of this year’s Traitors

BBC

In a show first, Winkleman only picked two Traitors to begin their journey of treachery and deception. Last year, Carr was picked alongside Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns as the traditional trio of traitors.

“Only two traitors?,” questioned one stunned fan, whilst another said “Am I missing something or did we only see two people picked for Traitors?”

Some fans were pleased with Winkleman’s initial choice, labelling the stars as “iconic”, though not everyone felt the same.

Richard E Grant is one of this year’s Traitors

BBC

“I was disappointed with the choice of Traitors.. I don’t think Richard will last long,” said one.

Another added: “Maya was too much of an obvious choice for me.”

Richard gives away the game?

After being selected, Richard wasted no time in trying to play the game and outmanoeuvre his fellow contestants - but did it work?

During a conversation with Joe Lycett, Grant openly said: “I am a traitor.”

Lycett appeared taken aback and asked: “Are you?” before Grant replied that he saw no point in playing if he was not a Traitor.

Richard E Grant declared that he was a Traitor

BBC

Those present to the conversation immediately looked suspicious, with James Blunt describing Grant's approach as “an interesting angle”.

Grant later appeared to backtrack, stating: “I'm a faithful,” though his u-turn statement failed to reassure some of his fellow contestants.

In his confessional, he said in his "unguarded excitement", he revealed his true role rather than lying.

Fans were both delighted and stumped by the bizarre behaviour.

“I am absolutely howling at richard grant just openly admitting to being a traitor and everyone just being completely gagged they’re speechless,” said one.

“My mouth dropped,” said a second, whilst a third added: “I’m obsessed.”

“Is Richard E Grant the most obvious traitor of all time? ,” a fourth questioned.

The duo becomes a trio

Winkleman revealed to the duo of Traitors that their time as a pair would be short-lived, as they would need to recruit a third member.

Amol Rajan and James Acaster were selected as potential Traitors

BBC

Jama and Grant were told that they would need to pick two people who would need to pitch themselves to the Traitors and argue why they should join the pack. The successful Faithful would be recruited, whilst the other would be murdered.

The pair picked Amol Rajan and James Acaster, who had to plead their case in person to the Traitors. Both arguments centred around what either could do to help take focus away from Grant.

Who was more compelling? We don’t have to wait long to find out.

Fans were mixed on the choice of Rajan and Acaster, with many despairing that one of the stars will be the first to exit the show.

“This is such a shame that either of Amol Rajan and James Acaster goes in the first episode of Traitors! One of the worst things about this show is entertaining people leaving early,” said one.

“Whoever lives out of Amol and James should immediately throw Richard under the bus with Maya, reset and start again without suspicion. Covering for him will get them all caught,” added a second.