Imagine a high-stakes game show where trust is a weapon and betrayal is the name of the game— but a simple human moment steals the spotlight, leaving viewers howling with laughter. That's the wild ride of episode three in Celebrity Traitors, and trust me, it's one you won't want to miss!
Just a heads up: If you're not caught up yet, this piece dives into key spoilers from the third installment of The Celebrity Traitors, so proceed with caution if you prefer to watch first.
Picture this: Amidst the drama of murders, deceit, and high-tension challenges, veteran British actress Celia Imrie let out an unexpected burst of flatulence right in the middle of a nail-biting moment. Host Claudia Winkleman, caught off guard, exclaimed, 'What just happened?' Imrie, unflinching and hilariously candid, replied, 'I just farted, Claudia. It's nerves, but I always own up.' The room erupted in laughter, and Winkleman had to rein in the chaos before the group plunged into yet another grueling task.
But here's where it gets controversial: Could this lighthearted blunder be more than just a funny slip-up? Some fans argue it humanized the celebrities, reminding us that even stars are just like us—vulnerable and real. Others debate if it undermined the show's suspense, turning serious gameplay into slapstick comedy.
Online, the reaction was pure hysteria. One X (formerly Twitter) user hailed it as 'the TV highlight of the year,' while another joked that we've 'peaked as a nation' with such unfiltered TV gold. Showbiz reporter Catrina Rose cleverly noted, 'Critically acclaimed thespian Celia Imrie farts like the rest of us folks,' highlighting how the moment bridged the gap between elite celebrities and everyday viewers.
Yet, not everything in this episode was light-hearted fun. The drama escalated as two younger contestants were abruptly removed from the competition. First, YouTube sensation Niko Omilana, aged 27, faced banishment. Many celebrities, including Sir Stephen Fry, suspected he was a Traitor, but upon his exit, he revealed he had been loyal all along—a Faithful, in the show's lingo. This sparked outrage among some fans, who took to social media to express their frustration. One X user accused the group of cowardice, claiming, 'Niko has been voted because he's an outsider and he's not in their celebrity world. Nothing to do with the game.'
Entertainment journalist Indigo Stafford summed it up: 'Niko being eliminated has sent shockwaves through social media. For many viewers, his elimination came out of nowhere. And now a new theory is spreading online about the real reason Niko was voted out... which is that the other contestants didn't know him well.' She explained that since many celebs often mingle in the same exclusive circles, some theorists believe Niko's outsider status made him seem unpredictable—and perhaps more suspicious than he actually was. This raises an interesting point: In a game about trust, does familiarity breed advantage, or does it just fuel bias? And this is the part most people miss: Is the show inadvertently promoting clique behavior, or is it a clever mirror of real-life social dynamics?
The episode didn't stop there. Olympic diver Tom Daley, just 31 years old, was tragically 'murdered' by the Traitors during a secret plot. He expressed his disappointment, calling himself 'gutted,' but Traitor Jonathan Ross, the witty TV presenter, made a cheeky quip: 'Gold medals don't count as shields do they.' It was a brutal reminder of the game's ruthless rules—where past achievements offer no protection.
The action wrapped up with actress and comedian Tameka Empson being banished during the roundtable discussion, amid suspicions she might be a Traitor (spoiler alert: she wasn't). This left viewers on edge, questioning the group's instincts.
Here's a twist that might surprise you: Comedian and confirmed Traitor Alan Carr underwent a personality makeover this episode. Gone was the anxious, giggly version we saw early on, the one that had fans worrying about his ability to handle the deceit. Instead, he dove headfirst into his villainous role. While strategizing in the turret about their next victim, he joked, 'I've got a taste for it now,' referencing his previous elimination of singer Paloma Faith. Later, at breakfast, he seemed exasperated by the others' shock over Tom Daley's death, rolling his eyes and declaring, 'People couldn't believe it, 'Where's Tom? Why Tom?' Well he's been murdered. Deal with it.' Reporter Rose observed, 'Alan has happily become a killing machine,' capturing his transformation into a confident schemer.
As always, the episode left us hanging on a cliffhanger, with the Traitors deliberating over who to target next: actress Ruth Codd, singer Charlotte Church, or historian David Olusoga. But it ended on a humorous high note when Carr confessed to Imrie the real reason he'd voted for her banishment during the roundtable. 'Can I be honest with you?' he asked. 'It was that fart in the hut.'
For those new to the show, The Celebrity Traitors pits a group of well-known personalities against 'Traitors' who secretly eliminate 'Faithfuls' while pretending to be on their side—think a mix of Survivor and deception-based strategy, with a British twist and plenty of laughs.
Celebrity Traitors airs on BBC One every Wednesday and Thursday at 9 PM BST, and all episodes are available on BBC iPlayer for nine thrilling installments.
Want more insights? Check out this related piece: 'Murder, betrayal and lies - why we're attracted to The Traitors' dark side.'
So, what do you think? Was Celia Imrie's fart a brilliant moment of humanity, or did it cheapen the show's intensity? And is Niko's elimination really about outsider status, or just bad luck? Do you agree that Alan Carr's shift adds depth to the show, or does it make the Traitors feel too cartoonish? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you side with the Faithfuls, or are you rooting for the deceitful fun? Let's debate!
