BBC responds to complaints surrounding Celebrity Traitors season 2 charity donations

The BBC has acknowledged that it received complaints about the charities chosen by the winners of The Celebrity Traitors season 2.

Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft were crowned the winners after the second outing of the reality series, winning a split prize of £83,000.

Croft donated his half to Choose Love, while Ranganathan donated his prize to the Refugee Council.

In an update to its complaints page, the BBC said it had "received complaints about the charities chosen by the winners of The Celebrity Traitors".

Responding to the complaint, it said: "We recognise that some audience members were unhappy with the charities chosen by the winning celebrities. This feedback has been shared with the relevant parties."

Appearing on Croft's Sunday Scaries podcast, Ranganathan responded to the negativity following their win: "Look, people have different opinions, but I feel like (refugees are) a distraction tactic, and people are being pointed in that direction for something to blame, is my personal opinion."

The comedian explained that he had decided to support the charity after becoming "so fed up with the rhetoric against refugees".

"The people kicking off about it has kind of galvanised the people that really think it's a lovely thing," he continued.

"I think that discussion, that back and forth, has actually been really positive."

Following Ranganathan's win, chief executive of Refugee Council Katie Ghose, said: "We have loved every minute of watching Romesh and cheering him along from the sidelines. To see him win is the icing on the cake!

"Romesh continues to be a brilliant champion for our cause. His support will help us continue to provide vital frontline services to refugees and people in the asylum system who come to Britain in search of safety and the chance to rebuild their lives."

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as YouTube may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow YouTube and its required purposes.

Croft's winnings went to Choose Love, a non-governmental organisation which provides humanitarian aid to, and advocacy for, refugees around the world.

In response to the reaction, the actor said: "It felt like such a nice moment at the time, but then to see the response, what it made me realise is that's people's response to a game show donating money to really vulnerable people. Imagine how difficult it is for those people navigating that system."

Following Croft’s win, Choose Love's acting chief executive Emma Stevenson commented: "We are absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful to Bash (Croft) for choosing Choose Love as his designated charity following his incredible win on Celebrity Traitors.

"Bash has been a long-time friend and dedicated supporter of our work, and we could not be prouder of him.

"This vital funding will quite literally change and save lives. It allows us to extend critical support to refugees and displaced people, especially LGBTQ+ individuals who face displacement, violence and persecution simply for who they are. We can’t thank Bash enough, it means the world."

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

The Celebrity Traitors is available to watch on catch-up on BBC iPlayer.

Add The Celebrity Traitors to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more TV recommendations and reviews listen to The Radio Times Podcast.