Richard Osman, a self-professed superfan of The Traitors, has weighed in on who he believes could be the first celebrity ejected from the upcoming celebrity edition of the show. The BBC series has unveiled an exceptionally star-studded cast for its second season, featuring names such as Richard E. Grant, Maya Jama, Bella Ramsey, and Joe Lycett, among 21 famous faces.
Speaking on The Rest is Entertainment podcast, Osman and co-host Marina Hyde discussed the dynamics of the upcoming show. Hyde noted that the production team would likely be wary of making either Romesh Ranganathan or Rob Beckett a Traitor, as it would be 'too obvious'. Osman agreed, adding: 'The problem is, because you've got nothing to hold onto in those early weeks, people will assume they've done that anyway. So it's slightly a hiding to nothing.' He went on to say: 'Romesh will be delighted to be voted out after a day. He's so busy.'
Osman's Faithful Prediction
Osman reiterated his belief that both Ranganathan and Beckett will be Faithful, not Traitors, but that the BBC might still toy with them. 'I really want the two of them to suspect each other, but both be innocent,' he said. 'That's the funniest storyline there, if they're both assuming that one of them is a Traitor.' He added: 'I imagine some of the buttons they will push, some of the tasks people have to do, they will try to turn Rob and Romesh's suspicions on each other.'
Ubiquity Concerns
Osman also pointed to Ranganathan's omnipresence in the TV industry as a reason why the BBC might avoid making him a Traitor. Ranganathan has fronted shows across the BBC, ITV, and Sky, and co-hosted the Baftas. 'I think if they're going to have a comic as a Traitor, I don't think they can have Romesh because they'll be aware of that ubiquity thing. And if suddenly he's right in the heart of your thing, it's an impossibility,' Osman explained.
The celebrity cast also includes comedians James Acaster, Joanne McNally, and Miranda Hart, along with singer James Blunt, model Jerry Hall, and actors Michael Sheen and Ross Kemp. The show is set to air later this year on the BBC.
