“The Celebrity Traitors”: boredom as a weapon, Joe Lycett’s banishment and Miranda’s tears

The key facts

The Traitors received a task to “kill in plain sight” using “sleeping powder” and yawning — the outcome will be revealed next Thursday
Joe Lycett was banished with 11 of 14 votes and turned out to be a Faithful; Miranda Hart burst into tears: “My love was real!”
Miranda revealed that a few years ago, due to illness, she feared she might not even be able to walk in a park anymore

Murder by boredom

In Friday’s episode of The Celebrity Traitors (second season, sixth episode), the final scene centred on an unusual task: the trio of Traitors had to behave as boringly as possible and theatrically yawn in one of the castle’s common rooms, hoping their fatigue would prove “contagious”. Under the task’s rules, if one of the Faithful yawned in response, they would be “put to sleep forever” — the Traitors sprayed “sleeping powder” from a perfume bottle. The potential victims ultimately became Jerry Hall and Ross Kemp, who entered the room where Maya Jama and James Acaster were. Who exactly will be “killed in plain sight”, viewers will only learn next Thursday — the BBC notes the irony that a show usually built on suspense came down to waiting for a yawn.

King Kenny — a “born Traitor”

The day before, the Traitors recruited YouTuber and former boxer King Kenny, and he brought new energy to the tower. Host Maya Jama remarked that “this trio will have a new vibration”. James Acaster said with relief: “Kenny took to it like a fish to water. He’s my opposite. So relaxed. He’s a born Traitor.” Kenny could barely hide his pleasure when Miranda Hart confessed to him at breakfast that he was her “main Faithful” and warned him to watch out for suspicious behaviour. In the show’s diary he explained that he acquired the ability to stay calm and keep a “poker face” in boxing, but admitted that while outwardly calm, inside he is “incredibly nervous”.

Lycett fell into his own trap

The day before, Joe Lycett had loudly declared that he dreamed of getting into the Traitors’ tower, which raised suspicions, although, according to him, it would have been too obvious for the Traitors to fulfil his wish. Acaster remarked: “Maybe we won’t even have to do anything today. You have no idea what a gift I’ve received.” At the round table, Lycett received 11 of 14 votes and was banished. Before leaving, he said: “I always wanted to start as a Faithful and end as a Traitor. I started as a Faithful. I didn’t get my wish. I’m a Faithful.” He himself admitted that he “set the trap himself and now has fallen into it”.

Miranda’s tears and dance

Miranda Hart was one of the few who did not vote against Lycett — she was even mocked for being unable to write her friend’s name. When it turned out he had been a Faithful, she exclaimed: “Oh my God, my love was real!” Her tearful reaction became a rare touching moment. “Connection, laughter and joy matter more than this game — to meet someone and just play and laugh — that’s all we need as humans,” she said, adding that during her illness her “silly, sensitive soul” resurfaced. Two years ago she recounted that she had been bedridden due to chronic fatigue after a diagnosed Lyme disease. During the mission assembling Easter Island-style statues on a rainy hillside, she said: “Three or four years ago, because of illness, I thought I might never be able to take a peaceful walk in the park again. And now I’m on the Scottish Highlands pushing a wheelbarrow with a giant head. It’s very exciting.”

“Little Mix and... Big Mix”

The BBC named the main moment of the episode a scene outside the missions and round tables: pop star Leigh-Anne Pinnock offered to comfort Miranda by fulfilling her “dream” and taught her a move from a Little Mix dance. “Introducing Little Mix and... Big Mix!” Miranda announced, and the pair danced on the floor with delight. All of this took place next to the room where the Traitors were yawning in the hope that Jerry Hall and Ross Kemp would join in — the BBC dubbed it “the most grippingly boring television of the year”.