By Fatma Younis
Celebrity Traitors viewers expressed concern after comedian James Acaster was not mentioned during Friday's episode of The Traitors Uncloaked, the spin-off show that follows the main series finale.
Acaster's unprecedented confession
Acaster had made an unprecedented move in Thursday's semi-final by confessing at the roundtable that he had been recruited as a Traitor, a first for the format. The confession followed interrogation by co-star Michael Sheen, and filming was reportedly paused when Acaster became distressed. The BBC stated that participant welfare is its highest priority and that a dedicated team monitors players throughout production.
Absence from Uncloaked sparks reaction
When the Uncloaked episode aired, host Claudia Winkleman and panellist Ed Gamble discussed the final with contestants including Romesh Ranganathan, James Blunt, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and King Kenny, but Acaster was neither present nor referenced. TV presenter Dan Walker posted on X that he hoped Acaster was okay, and other viewers echoed the sentiment. Several other celebrities, including Bella Ramsay, Michael Sheen and Rob Beckett, also did not appear on the spin-off.
Ratings and critical reception
Despite the controversy, the series delivered strong ratings for the BBC, peaking at 15 million viewers. Thursday's semi-final attracted a live audience of 10.7 million, a 62 per cent share of Thursday night viewership. However, The Independent's critic Nick Hilton gave the finale three stars, arguing that unprecedented confessions from Acaster and Richard E Grant hindered the game, and suggested future casting should prioritize effective Traitors.
Civilian series returning
The civilian version of The Traitors is scheduled to return for a fifth series in January 2027.
