From James Acaster’s late-game exposure to Miranda Hart’s surprisingly sharp detective work, we revisit our pre-series predictions and discover which calls were inspired, which were wildly optimistic, and which completely missed the mark.
1. James Acaster would be one of the first celebrities accused of being a Traitor
James Acaster was always going to be an intriguing contestant.
His unconventional sense of humour, distinctive mannerisms and reputation as an unpredictable comedian made him an obvious candidate for suspicion. We anticipated that his behaviour would attract attention early in the game.
There was just one problem.
Acaster wasn’t seriously suspected until much later.
While he was eventually exposed as a Traitor, the original prediction was specifically about the timing of the accusations. We expected the Faithfuls to identify him early, but that simply didn’t happen.
Acaster’s eventual downfall was dramatic, but it doesn’t rescue the original prediction.
Our rating: 2/10
2. Michael Sheen would go far – but his own reputation would ultimately betray him
Michael Sheen seemed perfectly suited to The Celebrity Traitors.
An accomplished actor with an extraordinary ability to inhabit characters, Sheen was always going to attract attention. Our prediction suggested that Sheen would survive the early stages before his convincing performances became a source of suspicion.
He certainly went far.
Sheen’s ability to read the room and identify potential Traitors made him one of the most compelling contestants of the series. His suspicions about James Acaster were particularly significant.
However, his journey ultimately ended at the hands of the remaining Traitors.
The prediction was not perfect, but it correctly anticipated Sheen’s longevity and the importance of his reputation.
Our rating: 9/10
3. Maya Jama would become the celebrity everyone wanted on their side
Maya Jama’s social skills made her an obvious candidate for a successful game.
Our prediction suggested that she would build relationships so strong that accusing her would become almost impossible. We also anticipated that those relationships might eventually force her to make a difficult decision.
As a Traitor, she was able to maintain relationships with the Faithfuls while navigating the increasingly complicated dynamics of the game. That was until the final stages of the show, when Sheen’s Sherlockian skills unravelled her near-perfect game.
Our rating: 8/10
4. Hannah Fry would become the castle’s most trusted voice
This was one of our more convincing predictions on paper.
Hannah Fry’s analytical approach, calm demeanour and ability to explain complicated ideas made her seem like a natural Faithful.
We imagined her becoming an influential voice in the castle, using logic to guide the other contestants through the increasingly confusing accusations.
The problem?
Fry was a Traitor. And could never shake the suspicion on her.
Our rating: 2/10
5. Rob Beckett would wrongly accuse Romesh Ranganathan
The prospect of Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan turning against one another was one of our more entertaining predictions.
The pair’s friendship and comedic chemistry made them an obvious source of potential drama. We imagined the pressure of the game eventually causing Rob to make a public accusation against Romesh – to hilarious effect – but that never materialised.
Our rating: 0/10
6. Joe Lycett would accidentally create a theory that sends an innocent celebrity home
Joe Lycett’s unpredictable approach made him an obvious candidate for a chaotic moment.
Our prediction suggested that one of his seemingly ridiculous suspicions would catch fire, creating a chain reaction that resulted in an innocent Faithful being banished. Funnily enough, his own pleas to be recruited as a traitor did draw suspicion and arguably resulted in a faithful (himself) being banished.
Our rating: 7/10
7. James Blunt would be recruited as a Traitor – and immediately regret it
This was one of our most confident predictions.
James Blunt’s humour, unpredictability and ability to deflect attention made him seem like a potentially valuable asset for the Traitors.
We predicted that he would be recruited and struggle with the responsibility of deception.
Except he wasn’t recruited. Blunt was a Faithful, albeit a completely chaotic one.
Our rating: 0/10
8. Jerry Hall would become one of the final Faithfuls
Jerry Hall’s confidence, competitive streak and life experience made her an interesting candidate for a deep run.
We predicted that she would quietly navigate the castle while louder personalities attracted suspicion.
Unfortunately, that prediction did not hold up. Her scattered approach to being a faithful draw unwanted attention and eventually led to her banishment.
Our rating: 0/10
9. Miranda Hart would become unexpectedly ruthless at the Round Table
Miranda Hart was one of the more interesting contestants to assess before the series.
Her warm, comedic persona made her an intriguing candidate for an unexpected transformation into a ruthless player. We predicted that she would deliver a decisive accusation at the Round Table that changed the mood of the castle.
That prediction was not entirely without merit.
Hart proved to be a fairly good detective, showing an ability to recognise suspicious behaviour and make thoughtful observations about the game.
However, the specific moment of Round Table ruthlessness we anticipated never quite materialised.
Our rating: 5/10
10. Richard E. Grant would expose a Traitor during a Round Table
This was our biggest prediction – and one of the most entertaining.
Richard E. Grant’s theatrical personality made him an obvious candidate for a dramatic Round Table confrontation.
We predicted that he would put a contestant under enough pressure to expose their true identity… we just didn’t expect that traitor would be himself!
Our rating: 9/10
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