We’re officially at the Celebrity Traitors halfway point and victory for Traitor Maya Jama seems more likely than ever.
Jama has been in her element conspiring in the turret and has had stern words for her reluctant accomplices, James Acaster and Professor Hannah Fry. But after turning her back on Fry in the roundtable, she and Acaster were given a choice to recruit – and Jama selected content creator King Kenny, a contestant who has had no suspicion thrown his way.
Even Acaster couldn’t help but admit Kenny’s recruitment was a genius move from Jama, who was left elated by her new ally’s gleeful reaction when he discovered the Traitors’ identities.
Thursday (15 October) night’s episode started with a face-to-face murder, where the potential victims were Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Ross Kemp – and it was comedian Rob who met his fate. The decision to kill Rob sparked plenty of confusion, but it wasn’t enough to save Fry.
At the round table, the mathematician pleaded her case while James Blunt also drew suspicion and Joanne McNally accidentally threw herself into the mix with a comment about the face-to-face murder.
In their post-exit interviews with the BBC, both Fry and Beckett predicted Jama will win the show
Celebrity Traitors airs on BBC One at 8pm.
Follow along with all the latest Celebrity Traitors updates in our live blog below...
Read MoreLeaks, spoilers and rule-breaking: BBC struggles to keep a lid on unruly Celebrity Traitors cast
Celebrity Traitors prize money: How much are stars paid and what does the winner get
The Celebrity Traitors ranked: Who is playing the best and worst game in the castle?
Celebrity Traitors Episode 5 LIVE
- Ranked: Who is playing the best and worst game in the castle?
- Face-to-face murder leaves Faithfuls stumped
- Fourth banishment takes place
- New celebrity enters the turret as Traitors recruit
- Watch: Faithful makes huge slip-up at round table
Has 'Traitors' editing detail hinted at ending?
11:30 , Jacob StolworthySomeone told me last year that they edit Traitors in reverse order… so, they start with the final episode and then work back to the beginning.
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) October 16, 2026
With that in mind - based on airtime, narrative so far and the fact that it’s good to keep someone who is so sure but wide of the… pic.twitter.com/XuNPViLKOn
What's Joe Lycett's game?
11:00 , Jacob StolworthyJoe Lycett made no secret of the fact that he wanted to be recruited by the Traitors so he could tick being in the turret off his bucket list.
Jump forward to Maya Jama and James Acaster immediately ruling him out, deeming the notion too “chaotic”. They’re not wrong, but it begs the question: what is Joe Lycett up to?
So far, he’s had minimal suspicion on him, but his relentless begging will either be considered proof that he’s a (disappointed) Faithful, which he is, or a traitor trying to double-bluff everybody. Either way, it’s looking increasingly likely that his dream of being a Traitor will never come to fruition.
Banished star thinks Traitors might have just slipped up
10:30 , Jacob StolworthyThe Traitors turned on their own in the roundtable after sensing things weren’t looking good for Professor Hannah Fry. Both of her allies – Maya Jama and James Acaster – opted to send her home, but she predicts this could be their downfall.
Fry, who researched Traitor behaviour before participating, said: “The thing that people do, which both of them have done now, is Traitors will vote for another Traitor, having never voted for that person before.
“So both Maya and James have switched their vote from Julie to me, there are very few people who are in that category, because Joe voted for me both nights. So when you start putting these pieces together it starts to become really clear.”
James Acaster distanced himself from Rob Beckett
10:00 , Jacob StolworthyDespite knowing each other well on the outside, Rob Beckett has said that James Acaster stayed away from him on the show – and thinks he should have clocked this was because he was a Traitor.
“I knew it was Hannah, but James… I gave James the benefit of the doubt because he desperately wanted to be a Faithful. On reflection, he’d avoided me a lot, which makes sense, because I know him quite well.”
He’s predicting victory for Maya Jama, stating: “Maya Jama does not change her personality, whatever’s happening. So she’s going to be a great Traitor, I think she could win it.”
Hannah Fry discovered family connection in the castle
09:30 , Jacob StolworthyProfessor Hannah Fry struck up a friendship with comedian Joanne McNally in the castle – and their chatting led to a surprise revelation.
“We actually discovered that we’re cousins by marriage – so her cousin is married to my cousin!” Fry told the BBC after being banished from the series.
Fans back Kenny as a Traitor
09:00 , Rachel McGrathNo offence to James A and Hannah, but has Maya finally picked someone who can match her in the Traitor stakes?
Fans are backing Kenny after he entered the turret last night...
Kenny being recruited as a traitor has made my night 😂👏🏼 #CelebrityTraitors
— WatchAaron (@WatchAaronTV) October 15, 2026
Oh Kenny and Maya are taking home that traitor win #CelebrityTraitors
— ann is tired (@bookzsessed) October 15, 2026
So sad there's no more Rob and Romesh but omg king kenny as a traitor#TheCelebrityTraitors #CelebrityTraitors #TheTraitors #BBC pic.twitter.com/mAA6nVuKXh
— safiya (@tennisafiya) October 15, 2026
08:00 , Rachel McGrathWith that amazing cackle, Kenny might have become my new favourite! #celebritytraitors
— Jeanette Hall - ask me about woods 🌳 and newts 🦎 (@JeanetteHall9) October 15, 2026
We heard from Hannah Fry in last night’s Uncloaked - where she practically skipped over to Ed Gamble, in an interview filmed the morning after her banishment.
And here’s Hannah Fry’s post-banishment chat!
“I’m delighted to be here,” she said, adding that it felt “so good” to reveal her identity at last.
“By the time it came for me to be banished, I was so okay,” she added.
King Kenny recruited by Traitors
06:00 , Rachel McGrathHas anyone ever been so delighted to be recruited? He was certainly a lot happier than James and Hannah...
Rob Beckett shares favourite castle memory
04:00 , Rachel McGrathThe comedian spoke to Ed Gamble the morning after his murder was filmed and the chat was played during last night’s Uncloaked.
Asked what his favourite memory of the castle was, Rob didn’t need long to think.
“Meeting Jerry Hall,” he said. “I love her, she’s got such an amazing energy.
“She tells me her life motto probably every eight minutes, [launches into a Texas accent] ‘what will be, will be’.”
Recap: Rob Beckett murdered face to face
02:00 , Rachel McGrathPoor Rob! At least he took it in his stride...
Friday 16 October 2026 00:01 , Rachel McGrath1Will Joanne be banished after that slip-up? The resounding theory seems to be yes.
Joanne has shot herself in the foot 🤣🤣🤣🤣 #CelebrityTraitors
— ada nném ✨ (@thebraburner) October 15, 2026
That might be worse then Richard just saying he was a traitor lol#celebritytraitors
— ♦️ Jack ♦️ LN1WDC25 CFC/W🏆x6 ⁴ ⁸¹ (@jackbenham13) October 15, 2026
JOANNE WHAT ARE YOU DOING #celebritytraitors
— 2ollie2furious (@ALIENFKR) October 15, 2026
Joanne 😭😭 she wasn’t even on anyone’s radar but now she’s in trouble 😭 #CelebrityTraitors
— Sarrah (@Siiel12) October 15, 2026
Watch: Joanne McNally makes bizarre slip-up
Thursday 15 October 2026 21:47 , Rachel McGrathIn perhaps the biggest blunder since Richard E Grant declared himself a Traitor, Joanne McNally made a huge faux pas at the round table.
During a discussion about the face-to-face murder, the comedian accidentally implied she was there(!).
Watch that moment again below...
Thursday 15 October 2026 21:29 , Rachel McGrathAnd that’s a wrap! A murder, a banishment and a recruitment? Truly a bumper episode.
Tomorrow’s episode will air on BBC One at 8pm but don’t close this tab just yet. We’ll continue bringing you all the latest updates and best bits.
Thursday 15 October 2026 21:28 , Rachel McGrathThe Uncloaked panel is backing Kenny as a Traitor.
“He’s in such a strong position,” says Jade. If he is thinking about throwing anyone under the bus, she suggests James would be the best option.
And here’s Hannah Fry’s post-banishment chat!
“I’m delighted to be here,” she says.
Addressing the round table, she adds: “I think that by that point I’d sort of understood what it means to be a Traitor.
Revealing my identity was “so good,” she adds. “By the time it came for me to be banished, I was so okay.”
Thursday 15 October 2026 21:18 , Rachel McGrathAsked what his favourite memory of the castle is, Rob doesn’t need long to think.
“Meeting Jerry Hall,” he says. “I love her, she’s got such an amazing energy.
“She tells me her life motto probably every eight minutes, [launches into a Texas accent] ‘what will be, will be’.”
Thursday 15 October 2026 21:15 , Rachel McGrathAnd now we’re getting to see Rob’s interview with Ed Gamble, filmed the morning after he was murdered face to face.
“I thought they’re definitely not going to get rid of Ross,” Rob says. “And then Leigh-Anne and Romesh were gunning for Hannah... I think really, actually, I should have thought about it and said ‘give me the key’.”
Thursday 15 October 2026 21:13 , Rachel McGrathThey’re giving their verdict on Joanne’s slip-up, which saw her essentially suggest she was at the face-to-face murder.
It was surely the guiltiest anyone has looked since Richard.
“It’s insane because she wasn’t actually there,” says Minah.
“She’s put herself in it,” adds Jade. “Her voting patterns have been all over the place and she defended Richard.”
Thursday 15 October 2026 21:08 , Rachel McGrathAnd now we’re onto Uncloaked!
Ed Gamble is in the studio with Traitor Minah from series three, and series four Faithfuls Jack and Jade.
Amol is also back to share his thoughts.
Thursday 15 October 2026 21:01 , Rachel McGrathThe Traitors have decided to recruit... and they’ve gone with Kenny!
I think this is a really good choice - and judging from his reaction, Kenny is pretty happy too...
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:58 , Rachel McGrath And then there were two in the Turret! Again.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:56 , Rachel McGrath Romesh is really coming into his own, isn’t he? And Joanne has surely set herself up for the next banishment.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:54 , Rachel McGrathJoe is literally begging to be recruited... an interesting tactic to say the least.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:51 , Rachel McGrathAw Hannah is on the verge of tears! Bless her.
And there’s no hard feelings towards the Traitors who voted her off either. She’s too nice for this game!
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:49 , Rachel McGrath And James A has gone for Hannah too! Blinding plays there from him and Maya.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:48 , Rachel McGrathMaya’s turned on Hannah!! Oh this is a shock?! Has she gone too early?
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:43 , Rachel McGrathHannah does so well at these roundtables... but the writing does still feel like it’s on the wall.
Errrm... has Joanne just ruined her own game with a genuine slip-up?! LOL if so.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:38 , Rachel McGrathThese episodes go quicker and quicker each week - it’s roundtable time already!
Hannah is under suspicion but she’s not the only one. People also have eyes on Ross and ‘Blunty’. This should be good...
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:37 , Rachel McGrathDid Sharon just call herself ‘Poundland Poirot’? Amazing.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:34 , Rachel McGrathOh no and now there’s suspicion for James A from Bash!
Sacrificing themselves could have been a terrible choice for the Traitors.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:33 , Rachel McGrathHe’s done it again, hasn’t he...
James Blunt looking like 118 brother in the woods 😭😭#CelebrityTraitors pic.twitter.com/BjuXkv8map
— Noor 🦋 (@NoorAlmuzaffar) October 15, 2026
The Faithfuls have done well, though! £8,00 added to the prize pot.
James A, Romesh, Joanne, Jerry, Maya and Hannah all sacrificed themselves in the process and will be locked up until the roundtable. Which could be a problem for Hannah...
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:30 , Rachel McGrathBravo, Hannah! But now we have all of our Traitors locked up for the day... Whoops?
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:28 , Rachel McGrathMiranda and Bash get a 10 for this attempt to scare off the death parade. Stunning work.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:25 , Rachel McGrath It’s sacrifice time! The two players left behind will be taken by the ‘death parade’ and locked away until the roundtable.
And Romesh and James are the chosen two!
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:23 , Rachel McGrathTwo things about this challenge:
1. Love Claudia’s hat
2. Errrm, the ‘death parade’ is terrifying?!
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:20 , Rachel McGrath Joanne and Jerry = my clueless queens.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:17 , Rachel McGrath‘Obviously it’s Ross’ … it just wouldn’t be an episode without Joanne being very confident and very wrong. #CelebrityTraitors pic.twitter.com/gr91i1KIJi
— Rachel Joanne (@Raq91x) October 15, 2026
Oh, this murder has worked hasn’t it?
Nobody has a clue what to do or say. It’s early but maybe the Traitors have finally got themselves together...
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:16 , Rachel McGrathFaithfuls: "hmm, this is suspicious. why rob? maybe ross put himself in there as a traitor. could have been a double-bluff...."
— Brian Harris (@harrisimo) October 15, 2026
Jerry: "hey y'all what day is it, and where am I?"#celebritytraitors
I love her.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:11 , Rachel McGrathAnd it is Rob who has been murdered!
He’s taken it in his stride though, hasn’t he? Howling with laughter. What a way to go.
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:08 , Rachel McGrath Leigh-Anne has spilled all on what happened straight away! She looks terrified, bless her...
I love Rob but this X post really speaks to me:
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:05 , Rachel McGrathI SWEAR TO GOD IF ROSS IS GONE I WILL CRY #celebritytraitors pic.twitter.com/Fx6H1vbiNs
— Laura 👑 💚 🩷 (@princessspecter) October 15, 2026
Ah, the producers have gone with a breakfast reveal! So we have to wait a little longer to find out who’s gone. My money is on Rob...
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:03 , Rachel McGrathThe Traitors have figured the key situation out pretty easy, eh?
“This is going to mess with everybody’s heads,” Hannah says of the murder...
Thursday 15 October 2026 20:02 , Rachel McGrathOk here we go... it’s hide-and-seek time!
Half an hour to go...
Thursday 15 October 2026 19:30 , Rachel McGrathIt’s your final chance to get predictions in ahead of tonight’s show!
While we count down the final half hour, shall we have a look back at the last banishment? Poor Julie...
Thursday 15 October 2026 19:00 , Rachel McGrath1Here’s another update you might have missed earlier this week.
After being banished, actor Myha’la defended the show against racism claims.
Read her full comments here:
Celebrity Traitors star Myha'la addresses show's racism claims and unconscious bias
Who is favourite to be banished next?
Thursday 15 October 2026 18:30 , Rachel McGrathLooking a little bit further into tonight’s episode, we can also expect another roundtable to take place.
And it looks as though the Faithfuls could be about to catch their next Traitor.
Professor Hannah Fry is the favourite to be banished, with odds of 3/7 and an implied probability of 70%.
Not so close behind are James Blunt (3/1 and 25%) and Jerry Hall (17/3 and 15%).
Watch: 'Hide-and-seek' twist revealed
Thursday 15 October 2026 18:00 , Rachel McGrathHere’s that moment from the end of last Friday’s episode, when Claudia revealed the latest murder twist to the four celebrities on the shortlist...
The celebrities up for murder
Thursday 15 October 2026 17:30 , Rachel McGrathUnless the Traitors try to murder Leigh-Anne, we’ll be saying goodbye to another Faithful tonight.
And I can’t lie, I’ll be gutted to see any of these three go. They’ve all been brilliant television so far...
Rob Beckett
Rob’s detective skills have been lacking but he’s brought a lot of laughs. And inspired one of the best one-liners of the series: “Do you have more teeth than a normal person?”
Romesh Ranganathan
Romesh’s deadpan delivery has been perfect for the castle. I do feel surprised that he and Rob haven’t been talked about much - surely you’d assume one of them is likely to be a Traitor?
If either goes, it’ll be interesting to see how things play out for whoever remains.
Ross Kemp
If Ross Kemp is murdered, I want my licence fee back. He has been television gold.
I would love to see him trying to make sense of the hide-and-seek twist. Can you imagine how thrown he’ll be by it all?
Why one item keeps being blurred out
Thursday 15 October 2026 17:00 , Rachel McGrathNothing gets past our eagle-eyed culture reporter Isobel Lewis...
Why one item keeps being blurred out on The Celebrity Traitors
How episode four ended – and what could happen next
Thursday 15 October 2026 16:30 , Rachel McGrathWe’ll be straight into the action tonight as we see the hide-and-seek game take place.
Last Friday’s show closed with the Traitors being asked to pick four players for a late-night game that will end in a murder.
We’ve seen twists like this in previous series and the Traitors usually put one of their own in the mix. This time though, the murderous trio didn’t and instead went for Ross, Leigh-Anne, Rob and Romesh.
The foursome then met with Claudia, who explained they would each be locked in a crypt, before the Traitors pick one of them to murder face-to-face. But, of course, there was a twist. The Faithfuls were given a special key that would lock one of the crypts – meaning if the Traitors try to murder that person, they’ll be unsuccessful.
After deliberations (and protests from Romesh), it was decided that the key would go to Leigh-Anne.
So what now? Well, if the Traitors try to murder Rob, Romesh or Ross then they’ll have their third kill in the bag. If they go for Leigh-Anne, they’re in for a shock…
Thursday 15 October 2026 16:00 , Rachel McGrathLast Friday’s episode saw Julie Hesmondhalgh make a shock exit.
The Corrie star had a spectacular fall from grace, going from much-loved Faithful to banished in the space of just 24 hours.
If you’re scratching your head over what happened, then you’re not the only one.
But James Acaster has now shared a show secret that helps explain things...
Crucial Celebrity Traitors moment was edited out, reveals James Acaster
Who is playing the best (and worst) game?
Thursday 15 October 2026 15:30 , Rachel McGrathWith the series’ halfway point approaching, it’s the perfect time for a little review of how everyone in the castle is performing so far.
I’ve ranked all of the players and would like to say sorry to those who haven’t scored well. It’s not personal, OK? Your detective skills just need a lot of work...
The Celebrity Traitors ranked: Who is playing the best and worst game in the castle?
BBC struggles to keep a lid on unruly Celebrity Traitors cast
Thursday 15 October 2026 15:00 , Rachel McGrathThis year’s Celebrity Traitors began with Richard E Grant blowing his own cover just moments in - but he’s not the only cast member who has been caught blabbing.
My colleague Lauren Morris reports on how the stars are giving the BBC quite the headache...
From leaks to rule-breaking: BBC struggles to keep lid on Celebrity Traitors cast
Thursday 15 October 2026 14:13 , Rachel McGrathWelcome back! Rachel here kicking off The Independent’s coverage of this week’s Celebrity Traitors.
Episode five starts at 8pm on BBC One, and in the meantime, I’ll be bringing you the all latest analysis and updates.
Last Friday’s episode ended on a huge cliffhanger as Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan and Ross Kemp were called back to the castle in the middle of the night.
Claudia Winkleman explained that the four stars have been picked for a game – which will end with the Traitors attempting a face-to-face murder.
What Maya Jama, James Acaster and Hannah Fry don’t know, is that Leigh-Anne has a special key that protects her.
