Traitors target ‘biggest threat’ as Julie Hesmondhalgh falls in tense episode

In the latest episode of Celebrity Traitors, the treacherous gameplay intensified as the show’s assassins eliminated Bella Ramsey, while the remaining faithful turned on one of their own, banishing actress Julie Hesmondhalgh. The installment, viewed by 10 million people, follows a pattern of high-stakes paranoia that has defined the second series.

Ramsey, known for their role in The Last of Us, was identified by traitors Maya Jama, James Acaster, and new recruit Professor Hannah Fry as the group’s most significant danger. In a strategic move discussed in the traitors’ turret, Jama argued that removing Ramsey was essential to fracturing the coalition of loyal players. “Chaos, regardless… Bella, you’re a genius, but you gotta go,” Jama stated during a flashback.

Ramsey accepted the decision with characteristic composure, telling producers in the diary room that they suspected the move but felt it was justified given their previous misjudgment regarding fellow contestant Myha’la. “I think this is a clever move by the traitors,” Ramsey said. “I guess now we’ll never know [the truth].”

Back at the castle, suspicion quickly fell on Hesmondhalgh. Her emotional reaction to Ramsey’s disappearance, combined with her status as the morning’s most trusted player, made her a prime target. Singer James Blunt spearheaded the campaign against her, suggesting her excessive trustworthiness was a mask. Despite protests from Michael Sheen, who called the move “cruel,” and attempts by Fry to deflect scrutiny by playing the victim, the faithful voted Hesmondhalgh out.

Before the voting, the cast participated in a chilling mission at a graveside haunted cabin. Hosted by Michael Sheen, the task required players to recover items from the dead, including a wedding dress and shoes. The event produced memorable moments, including a terrified scream from Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft volunteering to retrieve an item from a foul toilet, earning him a protective shield.

Model Jerry Hall shared personal memories triggered by the wedding dress, recounting how she wore a gown daily for seven years before marrying Mick Jagger. The group also endured revolting wine described by Joanne McNally as tasting like “salty bin juice.”

The episode concluded with a new twist: a game of deadly hide-and-seek. Four players—Ross Kemp, Ranganathan, Rob Beckett, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock—were chosen to face off against the traitors in the woods. Presenter Claudia Winkleman revealed that one participant would be killed face-to-face, though only Pinnock is immune. As the series heads toward Halloween, the stakes have never been higher for the remaining contestants.

Celebrity Traitors continues on Thursday at 20:00 BST on BBC One and iPlayer.