By Karim Hammam
Singer-songwriter James Blunt reached the final episode of this year's Celebrity Traitors but says he actively tried to be banished from the show early, revealing that contestants receive the same fee regardless of how long they stay.
Blunt's gameplay and exit
Blunt became a fan favourite for his 1980s leisurewear, conspiracy theories and military-style approach to tasks. He described himself as a "yapping terrier" alongside actor Michael Sheen's "mature labrador" as they hunted traitors. However, Blunt admitted he wanted to leave the Scottish castle quickly, but neither the traitors nor the faithful banished him. His strategy involved floating wild theories to appear unpredictable, though he acknowledged this was also "really boring." In the penultimate episode, Blunt and Sheen correctly suspected comedian James Acaster, leading to Acaster's confession at the round table. Blunt said the televised edit did not show the full intensity of the interrogation, noting Acaster was caught in a lie about a perfume bottle used in a staged murder.
Behind the scenes and editing
Blunt highlighted the power of editing, saying days of footage are condensed and viewers see only a fraction. He recalled memorable moments that made the cut, including actress Jerry Hall calling him "smooth like butter dripping off of hot corn" and his own admission of greasing his nipples with butter before physical tasks. Blunt was ultimately voted out in the final moments when comedian Romesh Ranganathan suspected he was working with traitor Maya Jama, a claim Blunt denies but accepts as a fitting twist.
New album 'Airplane Mode'
Blunt suggested his participation in the show was partly to promote his eighth album, Airplane Mode, which he considers his best work in years. After chasing radio hits, he returned to writing from the heart, producing a more downbeat record that explores anxiety, aging, and global uncertainty. Tracks like "Reason To Die" and "Weight of it All" reflect late-night struggles, and Blunt says songwriting serves as therapy for voicing nostalgia and melancholy.
Personal history and vocal changes
The album's honesty draws on Blunt's past as an army captain in Kosovo, where he lost close friends, and later experiences of media ridicule and the News of the World phone-hacking scandal. A punishing 21-month tour for the 20th anniversary of his debut album Back To Bedlam damaged his vocal cords, adding a new grit to his voice that he compares to Rod Stewart. He now takes singing lessons, including with an opera singer, to adapt.
Career perspective
Blunt says he no longer feels the need to prove himself, noting his greatest hits album has already been released. He describes his current position as a writer with nothing to prove, calling it "a pretty good place to be." The closing track of Airplane Mode, "This is not forever," serves as a reminder that difficult periods are temporary.
