The tension is palpable as The Celebrity Traitors hurtles toward its explosive finale. From an initial lineup of 20 star-studded suspects, the BBC One smash hit has ruthlessly narrowed the field to just five finalists, all vying for glory in next week’s climactic episode. But for the devious duo of Traitors—comedian Alan Carr, 49, and singer Cat Burns, 25—the game might be up. Fans are buzzing that these sneaky villains have been cornered, thanks to a cascade of blunders, shocking twists, and even unwitting assists from the hosts that have left them scrambling.
Thursday night’s episode delivered a double dose of drama at Ardross Castle. First, beloved actress Celia Imrie, star of The Thursday Murder Club, met her grisly end at the hands of Alan and Cat during a lavish dinner party for the remaining six players. The murder unfolded in plain sight, adding a layer of chilling audacity to the Traitors’ playbook. Then, in a nail-biting roundtable showdown, Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway, 58, faced off against historian David Olusoga, 55. Kate was ultimately banished, her dramatic flair—think over-the-top reactions and words like “flabbergasted”—sealing her fate as suspicions swirled.
But the real unraveling for Alan and Cat started earlier, with host Claudia Winkleman, 53, dropping what many view as a game-changing bombshell. Throughout the series, contestants have been laser-focused on spotting tells: shifts in behavior, body language quirks, and emotional overreactions. We’ve seen banishments like Line of Duty actor Mark Bonnar for his heated roundtable outbursts, and even Kate herself accused of hamming it up. In Wednesday’s heart-pounding trial, where celebs navigated a rickety suspended wooden bridge, Claudia couldn’t resist a pointed observation as a visibly rattled Cat inched across.
“This is a new side to Cat, I’m gonna be honest,” Claudia quipped to the watching group, her words hanging like a noose. Fellow Traitor Jonathan Ross (who was later banished in the same episode) jumped in to deflect: “But you know, it must be terrifying.” Was it an innocent remark or a subtle expose? Fans and players alike are convinced it was the latter, shining a spotlight on Cat’s facade.
The hits kept coming post-roundtable, when rugby powerhouse Joe Marler, 35, emerged as the unlikely detective cracking the code. Pulling aside comedian Nick Mohammed, 45, and David Olusoga for a hushed strategy session, Joe laid it out plain: “There’s no hiding place round those small roundtables now, and tonight, Nick convinced me that Cat is a Traitor that has gone way under the radar the entire game.” To the cameras, he doubled down: “I think that Cat and Alan are Traitors. I think it might be both of them.”
In a corridor confab with David, Joe warned, “This will sound really suspicious and I know you being the intelligent man that you are… I’m convinced that it’s Alan and Cat. I’m playing a very dangerous game of remaining very close to them because I’m certain that I’m a Faithful, that Nick’s a Faithful. You’re a Faithful. Just watch them.” His endgame? Cozy up to the Traitors, earn their trust, and yank the rug out at the eleventh hour. “Sorry, Traitors, I’m coming for you,” he declared with steely resolve.
If that wasn’t damning enough, Alan delivered a self-sabotaging cherry on top during the episode’s fiery finale. Claudia herded the survivors outside for a tense campfire ritual, instructing them to lock eyes and affirm, “I am a Faithful.” Nick and David nailed it with conviction. But when Alan’s turn came, the words tumbled out amid uncontrollable giggles. “I am a Faithful, I just get nervous,” he stammered, still chuckling as he darted panicked glances at Claudia.
Joe wasn’t buying it: “It’s just another confirmation of what I’m thinking about Alan. He can’t even look us in the eyes and say ‘I’m a Faithful’. If that’s not a red flag, then I don’t know what is.” The slip-up has fans roaring on X (formerly Twitter), with posts like: “Joe has cracked the case that Alan and Cat are the Traitors!” Another chimed in: “Didn’t have Joe Marler down as being the smartest man in this game.” A third predicted doom: “Joe is going to blow it all for Alan and Cat.” And one viewer nailed the irony: “Alan’s just handed it to them on a plate round that fire pit.”
As Alan and Cat sense the walls closing in, their once-slick operation is crumbling under the weight of these massive host-inflicted blows and their own slip-ups. Will Joe’s cunning plan pay off, or can the Traitors claw back from the brink? With eyes everywhere and trust in tatters, next week’s finale promises edge-of-your-seat betrayal. Don’t miss it—the trap is sprung, and the hunt is on!