Richard E Grant has blasted the “cruelty” of his Celebrity Traitors co-stars as he opened up about appearing on the upcoming second series of the hit BBC show.
The 69-year-old actor – who is most famous for his roles in Saltburn, Star Wars, Doctor Who and cult comedy Withnail and I – was recently announced as one of the famous faces heading to Scotland to film the new star-studded series, that is expected to air in autumn.
Speaking on The One Show, the star was asked if he’d been given any advice from his longtime pal, Bridget Jones star Celia Imrie, 73, who appeared on the first Celeb Traitors series won by TV star and comic Alan Carr last year.
Recalling their conversation, Richard revealed: “When it was announced who was going to be in it, I called her because we’ve known each other for 40 years. And I said, ‘Celia, what is the thing you can’t be prepared for?’”
View 3 ImagesRichard E Grant has received advice from a celeb pal about the show(Image: BBC)
Richard continued: “She said, ‘the cruelty of people who you instinctively want to trust’, in a room like this where suddenly every single person suspects you. I think that’s a very accurate thing to have said.”
Careful not to share too much from the latest series, Richard then put his fist in his mouth to stop himself getting into trouble as he joked: “I’ve already said too much.”
He went on to admit that his daughter Olivia didn’t think he’s going to be very good on the reality game show, where participants are split into Traitors and the Faithful, tasked with identifying which players are concealing their true allegiances.
“Well, she and all of her friends, to their credit, said, ‘You are incapable of hiding what you feel about anything in life, so we don’t think you’re gonna last more than five nano-seconds’,” he shared.
View 3 ImagesThe Celebrity Traitors cast of 2026 has already been revealed(Image: PA)
When The One Show host Alex Jones cheekily asked: “And did you?” Richard sheepishly replied: “I have no idea. I’ve been hypnotised, and I value my knees. I don’t want the BBC to come and break them.”
The new series of Celebrity Traitors boasts an impressive line-up, revealed in full last month. There will be 21 contestants heading to the famous Scottish castle to film the show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman.
Among those taking part this year are model, actress and Mick Jagger’s ex, Jerry Hall, former EastEnders star Ross Kemp, You’re Beautiful singer James Blunt and Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
Love Island host Maya Jama will also battle it out to win the 2026 series alongside comedians Miranda Hart, Romesh Ranganathan, Rob Beckett, James Acaster, Joe Lycett and Joanne McNally.
Actors Michael Sheen, Sharon Rooney, Bella Ramsey, Myha’la, Sebastian Croft and ex Corrie star Julie Hesmondhalgh are also heading to Scotland for the new show. While journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan, boxer and YouTube star King Kenny and mathematician Professor Hannah Fry complete the 2026 line-up.
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*Celebrity Traitors will return to BBC One and iPlayer later this year
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