James Acaster says he ‘doesn’t care’ about public’s reaction to Celebrity Traitors

0James Acaster says he ‘doesn’t care’ what the public think about his time on Celebrity Traitors (Image: BBC)Comedian James Acaster experienced a notably intense and dramatic stint on the second series of BBC's The Celebrity Traitors recently, ending in an unprecedented departure that temporarily halted filming.

Acaster, 41, initially arrived at Ardross Castle hoping to compete as a Faithful, but was recruited as a Traitor in Episode 2. He subsequently acknowledged he found the role challenging because being a Faithful was "all I've wanted to be".

During the semi-final roundtable, while facing increasing scrutiny over the "plain-sight murder" of Ross Kemp, Acaster made the extraordinary choice to reveal himself before the vote had even concluded-telling the group, "I am, reluctantly, a traitor". No Traitor had previously disclosed their identity at the roundtable prior to being banished.

The escalating pressure reportedly became too much during his final scenes. Reports surfaced -later acknowledged by a BBC spokesperson emphasising contestant welfare – that filming had to be suspended so staff could conduct a welfare check on Acaster, and the episode required substantial editing.

Viewer response to Acaster's appearance on The Celebrity Traitors was strongly split, with his unprecedented semi-final self-revelation dominating public debate.

Many traditionalists and disappointed viewers felt his choice to openly admit his role at the roundtable destroyed the suspense of the penultimate episode.

Some grouped his departure alongside other moments from the series – such as Richard E. Grant blurting out he was a Traitor and Joe Lycett begging to be recruited – grumbling on social media that contestants failed to keep quiet and "broke the game".

Commentators and viewers alike noted that by disclosing himself as a "reluctant Traitor," he unwittingly cast suspicion upon the remaining Traitors Maya and Kenny, fundamentally changing the course of the final.

However, Acaster revealed this week that he remains completely unaware of the backlash as he stays off social media entirely, and has been equally careful to avoid any media coverage of his appearance on the show.

Acaster went so far as to say he "doesn't care" what people think about his time on the programme.

Speaking to hosts Jessie and Lennie Ware on the Table Manners podcast, he said: "I'm not on social media, and I genuinely don't look at it.

"And it was a show as big as Traitors, I'm too scared to Google myself or look at the press. So I genuinely haven't seen any of it."

He added: "After it happened, you go, 'Well, that's never happened on the show before. So there's going to be every opinion under the sun about that.'".

"Part of me was just like, stand by it, I don't care, because you obviously get to that point as well, where you know that the public will have every opinion about it, and you can't worry about the people who don't like whatever it is that you've done."

Despite numerous viewers claiming Acaster had 'ruined' this year's series, a significant number rallied to his defence, pointing out that the relentless deception was visibly weighing heavily on him emotionally.

One widely held view was admiration for his choice to abandon the dishonesty after having played a strong game up until that point.

A considerable number of viewers also praised the moment as "great TV" and "iconic". Many contended that the unpredictability of a Traitor attempting never to lie – and then openly confessing – kept the format feeling refreshing.

Acaster was further celebrated by fans as 'one of the most memorable players' the show has seen.

New episodes of Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware drop weekly. You can listen to or watch the podcast through several platforms, such as the Table Manners website, Apple podcast and Amazon Music.