BBC denies James Acaster Celebrity Traitors complaint after feud claims
Tabloid reports pointed to friction between three comedian friends during castle filming, prompting producers to step in with a direct response.
Producers of The Celebrity Traitors have categorically dismissed claims that comedian James Acaster was targeted by co-stars or filed an official complaint during production.
A spokesperson for the BBC One reality series addressed the allegations on Sunday, October 18, 2026, following tabloid reports suggesting tension had flared behind the scenes during filming.
What the show said
In a statement reported by Radio Times, a spokesperson for The Celebrity Traitors series 2, in 2026, made the network’s stance clear.
“Claims of teasing amongst the cast on the show and claims of complaints about teasing are categorically untrue,” the spokesperson said.
The representative added: “There were no incidents of this nature and there is no evidence to support these allegations.”
The backstage rumors
The denial arrived after an unconfirmed report published by the Daily Mail claimed that Acaster had felt singled out by jokes from close friends and fellow contestants Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan.
According to the outlet, an unnamed source claimed: “Rob and Romesh clearly thought they were having a bit of a laugh, but James began to feel quite a lot of it was at his expense and away from the cameras he started to get annoyed and upset by it,” adding that “They’re completely different characters, and obviously with Rob and Romesh being such close friends away from the show, it meant they were totally on the same page and he just wasn’t.”
However, the show’s production team maintained that no such incident occurred and that no complaint was ever lodged.
Filming at Ardross Castle
The Celebrity Traitors series 2, in 2026, premiered on BBC One on October 1, 2026, with host Claudia Winkleman welcoming 21 celebrity contestants to the Scottish Highlands, including Acaster, Beckett and Ranganathan.
The report follows earlier coverage in late September 2026, when reports revealed that filming at Ardross Castle was briefly paused when Acaster experienced an anxiety spike. At the time, production paused to allow him a breather under the supervision of the show’s welfare team before shooting resumed.
What comes next
None of the three comedians involved has publicly commented on the claims, and it remains unknown whether Acaster, Beckett or Ranganathan will issue statements addressing the tabloid report.
While production has confirmed that no formal complaints or incidents of teasing took place, fans continue to follow the trio’s castle antics as the competition unfolds on BBC One.
