Richard E Grant's Traitor Blunder Steals the Show as Celebrity Traitors Returns with Coffin Entrance and 'Claudiapatra' Moment

The second series of The Celebrity Traitors launched with a spectacular blend of gothic theatre and jaw-dropping gameplay, as host Claudia Winkleman made her entrance in a closed coffin carried by druids into a church where 21 nervous celebrities awaited their fate.

Winkleman emerged from the coffin with the quip that she had enjoyed "quite the nap," prompting model and actress Jerry Hall to dub her "Claudiapatra" – a reference to the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, drawing parallels in both grandeur and hairstyle. The moment set the tone for an opening episode that balanced high camp with genuine tension.

The host later revealed at the show's press launch that she had initially considered hiding in the castle's suit of armour instead, describing her eventual entrance as "a sort of GCSE history fantasy." She noted that the alternative had been hiding inside a grandfather clock, suggesting the production team had several eccentric options at their disposal.

However, the most talked-about moment of the episode came not from the host's theatrical arrival but from actor Richard E Grant, who appeared to fatally undermine his own game within moments of being selected as one of three traitors alongside presenter Maya Jama.

Grant, evidently thrilled at being chosen for the role, immediately and gleefully announced to those around him that he was, in fact, a traitor. The revelation was met with stunned silence from his fellow contestants, with singer James Blunt eventually breaking the tension by laughing that it was "an interesting angle."

Comic Rob Beckett told Grant he had likely done something unprecedented in the game's history, describing it as "a bold strategy." The moment left both contestants and viewers reeling, as the entire premise of the show rests on traitors concealing their identity while faithful contestants attempt to identify them.

Reflecting on the blunder in footage shown to viewers, Grant admitted: "That may be the biggest mistake I have ever made in my life. I was so thrilled to have been chosen as a traitor that in my unguarded excitement, I said, 'Of course I'm a traitor'." He acknowledged he would need to "defuse all the heat" coming his way.

The following day, former BBC journalist Amol Rajan seized on the moment, asking Grant directly: "What happened last night?" Rather than attempting to sow clever seeds of doubt or construct an elaborate defence, Grant offered an odd reply – stating that he had been so blatant about wanting to be a traitor that he simply confirmed it when asked. Rajan labelled him the "Lord of Chaos."

Despite the apparent confession, not all contestants were convinced. Jerry Hall, who described Grant as a neighbour she has known for 30 years, insisted: "I just don't believe Richard's a traitor." She suggested his eccentric behaviour was simply an act of frustration at not being selected, adding: "He says and does eccentric things, he's an amazing guy, but I think he's acting out because he's not been chosen."

Hall's loyalty could yet be tested, however, given that in series one, comedian Alan Carr eliminated Paloma Faith by touching her face – a detail that has clearly lodged itself in the minds of this year's contestants. Comic and writer Miranda Hart also expressed belief that Grant could be a faithful, though she admitted to feeling confused by the situation.

Winkleman said at the press launch that she believed Grant had blurted out his identity by accident because he was so delighted to be a traitor. "He was giddy, wasn't he? He's just laughing at what's happening. Fantastic," she observed. Ed Gamble, host of the BBC One and BBC Sounds spin-off show Uncloaked, added that Grant's behaviour resembled someone given the lead role in a film who simply had to tell everyone.

Gamble described the moment as "insane," while also noting that Grant may find no one ever trusts him with a secret again. Indeed, Grant eventually appeared to recognise the need for a different approach, deciding to let the far more composed Jama take the lead in their subsequent decision-making as traitors.

Meanwhile, other celebrities demonstrated their value during the episode's mission. Former EastEnders actor and documentary-maker Ross Kemp, known for his hard-man persona in programmes about gangs and the armed forces, admitted to feeling nervous while sitting in the church pews. Yet he came into his own during the task, jointly taking charge alongside former army captain James Blunt.

The pair divided the celebrities into teams that successfully located treasure aboard a pirate ship, securing £15,000 for the prize pot. But Kemp's confidence quickly unravelled back at the castle when paranoia took hold.

Bella Ramsey, star of The Last of Us and Game of Thrones and a key player in the mission, had grabbed a captain's hat from the boat and playfully placed it on Kemp's head to mark their victory. Later, when Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock touched Kemp on the arm as she walked through the bar, he became visibly fearful, clearly recalling how Carr had eliminated Faith early in the previous series.

Gamble found the moment hilarious, describing it as one of the funniest things he had ever witnessed. He noted the contrast in Kemp's personality – a "big hard man" confidently running the mission, then immediately terrified by a member of Little Mix touching his arm. Actress Myha'la also featured in the episode, adding her own contributions to the unfolding drama.

The opening episode established a season that promises both chaotic gameplay and memorable character moments, with Grant's early blunder already setting a high bar for unpredictability. Whether he can recover from his self-inflicted wound remains to be seen, but his fellow contestants – and the audience – will be watching closely.