By Islam El-Sakka
Richard Osman launched a foul-mouthed attack on critics of the Celebrity Traitors winners, branding them "pathetic idiots" who should "f*** off." The TV presenter and co-host of The Rest is Entertainment podcast responded to backlash over the decision by winners Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft to donate their £83,000 prize to refugee charities.
Winners and charity choices
The 2026 series of Celebrity Traitors concluded on Friday with faithful contestants Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft splitting the £83,000 prize pot between the Refugee Council and Choose Love, both organizations that work with refugees.
Right-wing media criticism
Sections of the right-wing media and a few Conservative MPs criticized the choice, claiming it proved BBC bias and arguing the prize money should not come from the licence fee.
Osman's podcast response
Addressing the criticism on The Rest is Entertainment, Osman dismissed the critics as either "idiots" or people with an agenda. He noted that 15 million people watched the show and compared the detractors to a single unhappy spectator at a football match. Osman also defended the BBC, stating that Traitors generates significant revenue for the broadcaster.
Record audience and charity reactions
The final attracted a record 11.2 million viewers. Choose Love said the donation would "quite literally change and save lives," while runner-up Maya Jama matched the prize pot with a donation to Action for Children.
