Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 7 hrs ago
Romesh Ranganathan says charity backlash galvanised supporters
Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft won the second series of The Celebrity Traitors, the BBC’s celebrity version of the reality show.
Unlike the regular edition, its winners donate their prize money to charities of their choice.
Each winner received £41,500 to donate, with Ranganathan choosing the Refugee Council and Croft choosing Choose Love, both charities that support refugees.
Ranganathan said criticism of their choices had been amplified, but the backlash had galvanised supporters of the donations.
Croft said the pair had not discussed their charity choices before the end of the competition.
Maya Jama matched the winners’ donations with a pledge to children’s charity Action for Children, and the civilian version of The Traitors is due back for its fifth series in January 2027.
Romesh Ranganathan says criticism of his and Sebastian Croft’s charity choices has galvanised people who support their donations.
The two won the second series of BBC reality show The Celebrity Traitors and each received £41,500 to donate to a charity of their choice.
Ranganathan chose Refugee Council, while Croft chose Choose Love; both organisations support refugees.
Ranganathan said he had become involved with Refugee Council because he was fed up with rhetoric that demonised refugees.
Maya Jama matched the winners’ donation with a pledge to children’s charity Action for Children.
- Who
- Comedian Romesh Ranganathan and actor and musician Sebastian Croft.
- What
- The Celebrity Traitors winners donated their prize money to charities supporting refugees. Ranganathan said backlash over their choices had galvanised supporters.
- When
- The article was published on 9 November 2026. The donations followed the second series of The Celebrity Traitors.
- Where
- The story concerns the BBC reality show The Celebrity Traitors. Ranganathan discussed the backlash on Croft’s Sunday Scaries podcast.
- Why
- Ranganathan said he chose Refugee Council because he was fed up with rhetoric against refugees and their demonisation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ranganathan and Croft won the second series of The Celebrity Traitors, with each allotted £41,500 for a charity of their choice.
Ranganathan addressed anger about the charity choices on Croft’s Sunday Scaries podcast.
The Independent published its report on Ranganathan’s comments.
The civilian version of The Traitors is due to return for its fifth series.
- Winners
- Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft
- Prize money
- £41,500 each
- Ranganathan’s charity
- Refugee Council
- Croft’s charity
- Choose Love
- Maya Jama’s charity
- Action for Children
- Publication date
- 9 November 2026
What people are saying
But loads of people have come out in support.
And actually, the people kicking off about it has kind of galvanised the people who think it’s a lovely thing.
I feel like [refugees are] a distraction tactic, and people are being pointed in that direction for something to blame, is my personal opinion.
Imagine how difficult it is for those people navigating that system.