The BBC issued a statement refuting a report published over the weekend that suggested Celebrity Traitors contestant James Acaster had lodged a complaint with producers regarding teasing from fellow competitors. According to the Mail on Sunday’s original story, Acaster allegedly expressed discomfort with interactions involving comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, describing their behavior as “macho banter.”
In an official response, the BBC stated that allegations of teasing among cast members and complaints related to such conduct were entirely without foundation. The broadcaster emphasized that no such incidents occurred and noted the absence of any supporting evidence for the claims. A BBC source further indicated that the actual situation contradicted the published report, adding that representatives for all three comedians involved had informed the Mail on Sunday that the story was inaccurate.
The Celebrity Traitors program is produced by Banijay-owned Studio Lambert and hosted by Claudia Winkleman. The show has achieved significant viewership numbers in the U.K., with the most recent episode attracting an average of 9.3 million live viewers. That broadcast featured comedian Joe Lycett’s elimination from the competition. Other participants in the celebrity edition this season include Bella Ramsey, James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Michael Sheen, and Richard E. Grant.
The Traitors format originated with IDTV, now part of Banijay following a merger with All3Media, debuting in the Netherlands in 2021 as De Verraders on RTL4. The program has since expanded internationally and spawned a celebrity adaptation that has proven popular with audiences.
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