Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 30 mins ago
BBC denies claims James Acaster complained about co-stars on The Celebrity Traitors
The BBC has denied claims that James Acaster complained about teasing by fellow comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan during filming of The Celebrity Traitors.
A newspaper report said Acaster felt uncomfortable and believed some of the jokes were at his expense, but the claim has not been independently confirmed.
The BBC says there were no such incidents or complaints and that it has no evidence to support the allegations.
Representatives for Beckett and Ranganathan also denied the claims, while Acaster’s representatives were approached for comment.
The show is a competition in which contestants called Faithfuls try to identify secret Traitors before being eliminated.
Acaster and Ranganathan remain in the competition, while Beckett has been eliminated; the series is due to continue on BBC One and iPlayer on 22 October.
The BBC has denied reports that James Acaster complained about teasing by fellow contestants Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan on The Celebrity Traitors.
A spokesperson said claims of teasing and complaints about teasing were “categorically untrue” and that there was no evidence to support them.
The reports, attributed to The Mail on Sunday, said Acaster felt uncomfortable with the pair’s “macho banter”.
Representatives for Beckett and Ranganathan also rejected the claims, according to The Independent and Radio Times.
The celebrity series returned for its second UK edition on 1 October.
- Who
- James Acaster, Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan are at the centre of the reports.
- What
- The BBC denied claims that Acaster complained about teasing by Beckett and Ranganathan on The Celebrity Traitors.
- When
- The reports appeared over the weekend of 18 October 2026; the BBC issued a denial reported on 18 and 19 October.
- Where
- On the BBC reality series The Celebrity Traitors, filmed at a castle in Scotland, according to Radio Times.
- Why
- The Mail on Sunday report alleged that Acaster was uncomfortable with the pair’s jokes. The BBC said the claims were untrue.
The Mail on Sunday report
The BBC and representatives for Beckett and Ranganathan
Alleged complaint
The Mail on Sunday report
The report claimed Acaster told producers he was unhappy and felt singled out by the pair’s teasing.
The BBC and representatives for Beckett and Ranganathan
The BBC said claims of teasing and complaints about teasing were categorically untrue and that there was no evidence to support them.
Alleged intent
The Mail on Sunday report
A source quoted in the report said the jokes were meant in good humour and described the situation as a misunderstanding.
The BBC and representatives for Beckett and Ranganathan
Representatives for Beckett and Ranganathan said the claims were completely untrue, according to The Independent.
The second UK celebrity edition of The Celebrity Traitors returned, according to Radio Times.
The Mail on Sunday report said Acaster had become uncomfortable with Beckett and Ranganathan’s banter.
The BBC denied the claims, saying there were no incidents of that nature and no evidence to support the allegations.
- Contestant named in report
- James Acaster
- Other contestants named
- Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan
- Show
- The Celebrity Traitors
- Series return
- 1 October 2026
- BBC response
- Claims were “categorically untrue
5 sources
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What people are 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.
Claims of teasing amongst the cast on the show and claims of complaints about teasing are categorically untrue.
Rob and Romesh clearly thought they were having a bit of a laugh, but James began to feel quite a lot of it was at his expense, and away from the cameras he started to get annoyed and upset by it.
these claims are completely untrue and couldn’t be further from the truth