As BBC One’s The Celebrity Traitors reaches its dramatic penultimate episode on 29 October 2026, the remaining contestants face an unprecedented twist and lingering tension at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands as a £100,000 charity prize pot hangs in the balance.
Roundtable Deadlocks and the Fall of Miranda Hart
The tension in the Scottish Highlands reached a boiling point when a dramatic roundtable last week left actress Sharon Rooney and comedian Joanne McNally deadlocked with an equal number of votes, throwing their fates into immediate jeopardy. Content creator and Traitor King Kenny held the deciding vote in the secondary ballot, leaving viewers on a cliffhanger that precedes the penultimate broadcast on BBC One. Sharon Rooney and Joanne McNally were not the only names mentioned during last week’s sessions, as actor Sebastian Croft and Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock also drew suspicion and faced questions from their peers.
Meanwhile, the Faithfuls have continued to watch their numbers dwindle following the departure of comedian Miranda Hart. The Traitors targeted Hart for elimination after identifying her as a good detective
, bringing an emotional end to her run on the reality show.
There were times I didn’t think that would be possible again.
Hart reflected on her exit by noting that the experience allowed her to reconnect with nature and professional pursuits despite managing fatigue linked to her Lyme disease diagnosis, as reported by the Press Association.
Trustworthy Trio Defies Suspicion at Ardross Castle
While Faithfuls squabble over shifting alliances, the active saboteurs have maintained an almost impenetrable front. During a previous scarecrow mission, fellow players named Maya Jama, King Kenny, and James Acaster as the most trustworthy individuals in the castle.
That misplaced confidence handed the trio a massive strategic advantage. The Traitors awarded King Kenny a dagger granting him a double vote at the roundtable, cementing their control over the game as 21 celebrity contestants compete for up to £100,000.
Fans on social media quickly pointed out the precarious optics of the situation, noting that the three most trusted players walking back un-murdered creates an impossible riddle for the remaining Faithfuls.
Celebrity Traitors: Sharon Rooney sparks concern as fans reckon she's 'checked out' of the game amid tense roundtable head-to-head with Joanne McNally https://t.co/uENlumeUSz
Insider Warns of Unprecedented Semi-Final Twist
Reports surfaced ahead of Thursday night’s broadcast indicating that a massive bombshell revelation would rip through the castle, delivering a twist that producers allegedly failed to predict. Michael addressed the opposition directly during the run-up, delivering a rousing warning that compared the emotional stakes to a pre-match speech for the Welsh football squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
An insider told the press that the upcoming turn of events has never been seen on the show before and may never be repeated, setting up an unmissable semi-final leading directly into Friday’s 80-minute grand finale.
Former contestants have also weighed in on the endgame dynamics. Former Traitor Andrew Jenkins suggested to the Daily Mail that King Kenny might ultimately throw a fellow Traitor under the bus by targeting James Acaster or Maya Jama to clear his own path to the finish line.
Finalists Face the Ultimate Test Ahead of Friday Finale
Following the dramatic semi-final developments, the list of finalists confirmed to compete for the charity prize pot includes Maya, Michael, Romesh, Leigh-Anne, James Blunt, Kenny, and Bash, according to Where To Watch.