Richard E. Grant Blurted Out That He's A Traitor To Half The Cast — And Celebrity Traitors Fans Cannot Cope

Spoiler warning: this piece covers the first two episodes of Celebrity Traitors series two.

Stop everything, because Richard E. Grant has just done something no Traitor has done before — and he did it within minutes of getting the job.

The Blurt Heard Round The Castle

Grant was picked as one of the first two Traitors alongside Love Island host Maya Jama, Variety reports. Then, shortly afterwards, he told a room full of fellow contestants that he was a Traitor. Yes, really.

His logic, apparently: "What's the point in being in the game if you're not?"

Before the game, Grant had said he'd be "utterly ruthless" and feel no guilt. Maya, meanwhile, was aiming to be an "unassuming, warm and misleading" Traitor. One of these strategies is working.

The Panic Set In

Comedian Joe Lycett tried to throw Grant a lifeline by nudging him to laugh it off as a joke. He also called the move "a bold strategy," which is one way to put it.

Grant knew instantly what he'd done. Per Variety, he told the camera it "may have been the biggest mistake I've made in my life," adding that he was so thrilled to be chosen that he got carried away.

Jerry Hall, for her part, didn't buy it. She said she's known him for 30+ years and thinks he's "acting out because he hasn't been chosen." Love that for her. Wrong, but love it.

Episode Two: Damage Control (And A Murder)

According to BBC News, episode two opened with a twist: Grant and Maya recruited James Acaster into the turret and murdered a fellow player at the same time. Amol Rajan became the first victim, taken away in a coffin before he even got to a banishment. He said he'd perhaps been "a bit bullish" with Grant earlier.

Acaster, on joining: "I'm gutted to not be a faithful anymore, I don't like lying. But if I don't join them, they'll kill me." Hard to argue.

Meanwhile, the BBC notes that plenty of players assumed Grant was pulling an elaborate double bluff. Myha'la said he feels "a little too easy," while Joanne McNally suspected some were "using him as a fall guy and a decoy."

The Tea ☕

• Grant was named a Traitor in episode one, then announced it to several contestants almost immediately.
• He and Maya recruited James Acaster and murdered Amol Rajan in episode two.
• The first banishment round table ends on a cliffhanger, but the BBC says it's shaping up to be a landslide vote against Grant.

Is He Doomed?

Julie Hesmondhalgh made what the BBC called one of the most convincing cases of the night: there's "no reason to say it unless you are" a Traitor. Miranda Hart also pointed to his joy when he took off his blindfold.

Grant's own take? "I do not go down without a fight. I did not survive four decades in showbusiness without a fight."

Even Acaster called him a "loose cannon," while Maya admitted she wants to save him "even though he's dug himself the biggest hole imaginable." The BBC says it still wouldn't bet against him.

The next episode airs Thursday at 8pm BST on BBC One and iPlayer. We'll be watching through our fingers.

So what's the verdict: is this the dumbest Traitor move ever, or secret genius? Would YOU banish Richard E. Grant? Sound off below.

Sources: Variety | BBC News