BBC Denies ‘Celebrity Traitors’ Contender James Acaster Complained Over Competitors’ ‘Macho Banter’: ‘Categorically Untrue’

The BBC has denied that “Celebrity Traitors” contestant James Acaster made a complaint about fellow competitors’ teasing and “macho banter,” saying the claims are “categorically untrue.”

A Mail on Sunday report over the weekend claimed Acaster had “complained to producers” he was being teased by competitors Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan and was “uncomfortable” with the duo’s “macho banter.”

In a statement Monday, the BBC denied the story, saying: “Claims of teasing amongst the cast on the show and claims of complaints about teasing are categorically untrue. There were no incidents of this nature and there is no evidence to support these allegations.”

A source added “the reality is the complete opposite” and that agents for the three contestants, who are all well-known British comedians, were “aware” and had told the Mail on Sunday the story was not true.

“The Traitors” and its celebrity spin-off is produced by Banijay-owned Studio Lambert, known for shows including “Squid Game: The Challenge” and “Googlebox,” and fronted by Claudia Winkleman.

The show has become an unlikely juggernaut in the U.K., averaging an unprecedented 9.3 million live viewers for its latest episode, which saw comedian Joe Lycett get banished from the castle. Other contestants for the celebrity version this season have included Bella Ramsey, James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Michael Sheen and Richard E. Grant.

“The Traitors” was created by IDTV (now part of Banijay follows the merger with All3Media), first airing in the Netherlands in 2021 on RTL4 under the title “De Verraders.”