CELEBRITY TRAITORS BANISHMENTS PROMPT SEXISM CLAIMS

Viewers of Celebrity Traitors have questioned the programme’s Round Table voting after its tally put women at four of the six contestants banished. Some viewers argued that contestants treated women who spoke up with greater suspicion. Faithfuls Myha’la Herrold, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Jerry Hall have been voted off, along with Traitor Professor Hannah Fry. Richard E Grant and Joe Lycett are the two men banished so far.

One viewer wrote on X: “So many patterns of behaviour women recognise from their working life.” The viewer said one of the banished men had told the group he was a Traitor, while contestants knew the other wanted to become one. Another viewer argued that Sharon Rooney drew suspicion after voicing opinions, while Maya Jama had faced less scrutiny. Other viewers compared the voting pattern with the first series and discussed a possible Round Table contest between Rooney and Joanne McNally.

Some viewers rejected the sexism claim and said the Faithfuls’ choices reflected their difficulty identifying Traitors. One wrote: “You know they could just be hopeless faithfuls.” Another said contestants should be able to vote someone out without concern that viewers would accuse them of sexism. Herrold has separately suggested that “unconscious racial bias” is “prevalent”, adding another claim about how contestants have judged one another.