The second series of The Celebrity Traitors concluded on Friday with comedian Romesh Ranganathan and Heartstopper actor Sebastian "Bash" Croft emerging as victors after a tense endgame that saw the remaining traitors eliminated in dramatic fashion. The pair defeated traitors Love Island host Maya Jama and YouTuber King Kenny to claim an £83,000 prize for their chosen charities. According to BBC News, the finale capped four weeks of strategic gameplay involving 21 original contestants whittled down through suspicion and tactical manoeuvres.
The competition had captivated audiences throughout its run, with more than 15 million viewers tuning in to the series. The final episode delivered several unexpected twists, including a helicopter-hanging challenge that Metro reported featured Maya Jama, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Sebastian Croft, earning an additional £18,500 for the prize fund.
How did the endgame unfold?
The final stage saw the remaining contestants gather around a fire pit to determine whether any traitors remained among them. Kenny had reached this critical juncture after turning against his fellow traitor Maya at the previous round table. The endgame included singer James Blunt alongside Kenny, Romesh and Bash, creating a tense four-way dynamic.
When James and Kenny received equal votes for being a traitor, Bash persuaded Romesh to banish Kenny rather than James, a decision that proved decisive.
"Absolutely devastated. I was so close. I smelled the victory,"Kenny responded to his elimination. In a further twist, James then chose another round of voting and was subsequently evicted himself, leaving Romesh and Bash as the final two standing.
What did the winners say?
The 24-year-old Bash expressed his emotion at the victory, stating:
"This might actually be the best day of my life."He spoke through tears of joy as the reality of winning became clear. Romesh reflected on his achievement with a personal touch:
"I just really hope my mum's proud. And also my youngest son Charlie, who wanted me to come on the show - dad won. Please show me some respect."
The pair committed to splitting their winnings between two refugee charities, the Refugee Council and Choose Love, directing their prize money toward causes they supported.
Which other contestants were eliminated during the final?
Actor Michael Sheen was murdered in the opening action of Friday's episode.
"I am incredibly disappointed,"he said.
"Gutted that I got so close to the end. It's been absolutely unforgettable."
When the endgame commenced, Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock was swiftly banished after Kenny voted to remove her.
"I was thinking me and him had a mutual understanding, and now I feel so stupid,"she responded angrily to her elimination.
Who departed earlier in the series?
Throughout the competition, numerous high-profile contestants were eliminated. Ex-EastEnders actor Ross Kemp, model Jerry Hall, sitcom star Miranda Hart, comedian Joe Lycett, presenter Hannah Fry and former BBC journalist Amol Rajan all departed before reaching the final stages. The series also featured two contestants who made the unusual decision to reveal themselves as traitors before being dispatched by their fellow players.
Actor Richard E Grant became so excited upon receiving his traitor assignment that he inadvertently disclosed his status in episode two. Comedian James Acaster took a different path, becoming the most reluctant traitor in the show's history when he unexpectedly confessed during Thursday's penultimate episode after facing pressure at the round table.
What happened after James Acaster's confession?
Reports emerged that filming was paused and Acaster was checked by welfare staff after he became anxious during the scene. When asked about these reports, a BBC spokesperson confirmed on Friday that the safety and welfare of participants was the "highest priority", noting that "players are closely monitored and supported throughout by production which includes a dedicated and experienced welfare team".
Speculation about editing of the round table intensified when viewers noticed a shot of Romesh reacting in shock—apparently to James's initial confession—which appeared to have originated from a later moment, after Romesh had voted for James by writing his name on the blackboard. The sequence showing all celebrities voting for James following his admission was presented as a relatively quick and straightforward process, prompting questions about what prompted Romesh's shocked expression. TV critic Ian Hyland observed that
"The most damaging thing about the James Acaster incident could be that it revealed just how much the production team and editors get involved in #CelebrityTraitors."
Did the series maintain its appeal throughout?
Despite Acaster's bombshell providing a dramatic twist that reinvigorated the programme after what some viewers perceived as a mid-series lull, critical assessment of the season's overall quality remained mixed. The Hollywood Reporter noted that while the show had achieved record-breaking ratings,
"much of the consensus on social media has been that it's all felt a bit dull."
Some viewers observed a shortage of the back-stabbing, double-crossing and explosive confrontations that typically define the format, with this year's celebrities proving more collegial and strategically aware than previous groups. Although the season featured numerous prominent personalities, it lacked an equivalent to Alan Carr, the hugely popular comedian who unexpectedly won as a traitor in the previous year's series through cunning gameplay.
These observations did not diminish the show's popularity, however. Friday's final was expected to rank as the most watched television programme of the year, demonstrating sustained audience engagement despite mixed critical sentiment about the season's dramatic content.
What lies ahead for the franchise?
The success of this series has secured the future of the format. The BBC has confirmed that The Celebrity Traitors will return for a third series in 2027, continuing its commitment to the programme. The corporation's multi-year deal keeps both The Traitors and The Celebrity Traitors on BBC One and until at least 2030, ensuring the franchise remains a fixture of the broadcaster's schedule for years to come.
