Richard E Grant accused of ‘staging’ Celebrity Traitors blunder: ‘Not a stupid man’
Richard E Grant was banished on Celebrity Traitors (BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
Celebrity Traitors insiders reportedly suspect Richard E Grant deliberately blurted out he was a Traitor on day one to engineer an early exit while still keeping his fee.
The claim centres on the moment comedian Joe Lycett asked Grant: “What are you, Richard?” and the actor replied: “A Traitor!” It ultimately led to him being banished, despite some of his co-stars believing at the time that he couldn’t possibly have actually been a Traitor.
An unnamed source, reportedly a show insider, told The Sun that people on set were convinced the 69-year-old staged the blunder because he realised he could make a big moment for the series.
The source said: “Watching how it played out on the set, we’re all convinced he staged it. He was there for a good time, not a long time and what a way to go.”
They continued: “Obviously he kept talking about his love of the show and had a brilliant time but Richard E Grant is not a stupid man.”
Since the show filmed, Grant has insisted it was a mistake, added that he hoped his co-stars would say they were also Traitors, in an “I am Sparta!” type of situation.
PinkNews has contacted a representative for Grant for comment.
How much are Celebrity Traitors stars paid?
Celebrities are believed to keep their entire payment – reported to be £40,000 – no matter at what point they exit the programme.
Grant arrived in Scotland on 2 May, with filming kicking off on 5 May. He had previously been away filming in Europe for Channel 4 show Very Modern Odyssey for five weeks over April, while also working on a project in Liverpool.
What was said about the shocking moment
Grant later addressed the moment after he was banished at the first Round Table, calling it “a completely catastrophically idiotic thing to do”.
Lycett backed the idea that Grant meant what he said, adding, as per The Mirror: “There’s no game around that, he absolutely meant it when he said it to me.” He added: “God knows what was going through his head. It’s one of the most iconic performances I’ve ever seen on this series.”
The slip-up came in the opening episode, when Richard E Grant gave the game away almost instantly.
The first episode also sparked instant reaction online, as viewers called the scene “TV moment of the year”.
The Celebrity Traitors continues Thursday at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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