Fans Express Concern After James Acaster Snubbed on Celebrity Traitors Uncloaked
Viewers worry about James Acaster's welfare after he was noticeably omitted from Celebrity Traitors Uncloaked following a distressing finale.
POLICY WIRE — London, UK — Concern has grown among fans of Celebrity Traitors 2026 after comedian James Acaster was notably absent from the spin-off show, The Traitors Uncloaked, following a tense finale.
The season concluded with Faithfuls Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft defeating the Traitors to secure a joint award of £83,000 for their preferred charities.
In the semi-final held on Thursday, the group of Traitors lost a member after Acaster broke protocol by confessing his recruitment during a roundtable discussion.
This marked a first for the franchise, catching the game off guard after Michael Sheen had previously drafted him for Ross Kemp’s on-screen murder.
Reports indicated that filming was temporarily halted to allow producers to step in when Acaster became visibly upset during the episode.
The BBC confirmed in a statement that the safety and wellbeing of all participants remain their top priority, noting that players are constantly monitored and supported by a specialized welfare team.
However, Acaster’s silence during Friday afternoon’s Uncloaked episode, hosted by Ed Gamble and Claudia Winkleman, sparked immediate online alarm.
Television presenter Dan Walker voiced his worry on X, questioning why Acaster was neither featured nor mentioned in the post-show discussion.
Another viewer shared similar unease, adding that they were disappointed by the omission and expressing concern given the volatile nature of the prior episodes.
These worries also extended to other personalities who skipped the Uncloaked broadcast, including Bella Ramsay, Michael Sheen, Joanna McNally, Rob Beckett, Sharon Rooney, Myha’la, Jerry Hall, and Maya Jama.
Both Acaster’s representatives and the BBC have been contacted for further comment regarding the situation.
Despite the controversy, the latest season has secured significant success for the broadcaster, peaking at 15 million viewers.
The semi-final, in particular, drew a live audience of 10.7 million, capturing a 62 per cent share of all viewers that evening.
Critical reaction has been mixed, with The Independent’s Nick Hilton describing the season as anti-climactic in a three-star assessment.
Hilton argued that the show appeared to have drifted from its original vision, suggesting the inclusion of Richard E Grant and Acaster ultimately compromised the game’s integrity even if it yielded compelling television.
The civilian edition of The Traitors is scheduled to launch its fifth series in January 2027.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
