Jonathan Ross has denied trying to “discourage” his showbiz pals from taking part in The Celebrity Traitors – while confirming there will be a series 2.
The chat show host, 64, took to social media after he was quoted in a podcast saying he “didn’t enjoy” filming the BBC programme.
Jonathan told Reel Talk: “I know they’re already planning a second celebrity version. I know because I’ve had two celebrity friends of mine call me and say, ‘I’ve been approached – is it good to do, is it bad to do?’
“So I’m giving them the benefit of my experience, which was I didn’t enjoy it.” The star, who is a Traitor in the series, said he found lying “waring”.
But Jonathan has now insisted he wasn’t trying to put other celebrities off from signing up to the second series, which is yet to be officially confirmed.
The Celebrity Traitors: Jonathan hits back
Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jonathan said: “Despite rather mis-leading reports, I am NOT discouraging anyone from taking part in future series of Traitors. I am pleased I did it – an extraordinary experience – but I did not enjoy the duplicity as the game progressed.
“It’s a tougher psychological challenge than I expected is all. But I would never try to talk anyone out of it – just trying to give them a sense of what to expect.”
One follower replied and asked Jonathan if he “looked up the meaning of Traitor” before singing up to the show. Jonathan said back: “Obviously I understood the assignment. But the immersive nature and other factors make you feel it more keenly.”
The Celebrity Traitors kicked off on BBC1 last Wednesday. The spin-off is the first of its kind and stars 19 famous faces.
In the first episode, Jonathan was made a Traitor by host Claudia Winkleman. She chose comedian Alan Carr and singer Cat Burns to be his fellow Traitors.
The trio’s first job was to ‘murder’ one of the 16 remaining Faithfuls “in plain sight”. Alan took on the challenge and, in a big shock to viewers, chose to bump off Paloma Faith.
The singer is a good friend of Alan’s and she was furious with him for sending her home first. Speaking on the BBC2 spin-off show Uncloaked, Paloma blasted the comedian for “betraying” her.
Paloma, 44, said: “I still maintain to this day that if the shoe was on the other foot, I wouldn’t have done that. He shouldn’t have done that to me and I’m surprised that he did. I categorically would not have touched Alan’s face. Maybe it was the easiest option. But it was the choice he made and I think it was not very nice.”
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Paloma Faith drags Amanda Holden into ‘feud’
Now, Amanda Holden has been dragged into the apparent feud. According to the BBC’s official Celebrity Traitors Instagram, Paloma had written online: “He wouldn’t have touched Amanda’s face.”
Alan and Amanda are really close friends. They are also co-hosts of their own BBC renovation shows, Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job and Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Job.
But Amanda is said to have replied to Paloma: “How much do you wanna bet?!”
The second episode of The Celebrity Traitors ended on another cliffhanger. The stars are midway through giving their votes on who they think is a Traitor at the Round Table. Alan, Jonathan and Cat have not yet received any votes.
The show continues tomorrow (Wednesday October 15) at 9pm on BBC1.
