BBC’s Celebrity Traitors episode three draws 10.3 million peak viewers as Richard E Grant is banished

The third instalment became the series’ most‑watched episode, averaging 10 million viewers and a 60.4% share, according to the BBC.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:48:41 GMT

The third episode of BBC’s reality competition Celebrity Traitors recorded a peak audience of 10.3 million, making it the most‑watched show of the series to date, the broadcaster said.

What happened

Broadcast on Thursday, 9 October 2026, the episode saw actor Richard E Grant eliminated after he mistakenly announced himself a traitor moments after being selected. Contestants voted him out, with fellow traitors Maya Jama and James Acaster casting the majority of votes in his favour. Grant later told the camera, “I have been annihilated. I have managed to checkmate myself, which, as far as I’m aware, has never been done.”

Following Grant’s departure, the remaining players chose mathematician Hannah Fry as their third traitor after a seduction strategy by Jama and Acaster. Later in the show, actress Myha’la was also voted out.

What the reports add

Both Standard and The Independent reported the same peak figure of 10.3 million and an average audience of 10 million with a 60.4% share. Both outlets also gave the viewership numbers for the first two episodes (episode 1 peaked at 9.1 million, average 8.9 million; episode 2 peaked at 8.6 million, average 8.5 million). The Independent added a brief advertising disclaimer, while Standard repeated the audience share figure twice.

What was said

Richard E Grant said, “I am… an unfaithful traitor,” when revealing his identity, as reported by both outlets. He added, “I have been annihilated. I have managed to checkmate myself, which, as far as I’m aware, has never been done.”

Maya Jama and James Acaster were quoted as voting for Grant’s elimination, though their exact words were not recorded in the articles.

How it came about

The series launched on 1 October 2026, with Maya Jama and Richard E Grant named the first traitors in Felo’s earlier coverage. Betting odds for the launch were detailed in another Felo piece on 28 September 2026. Prior controversy over promotional headshots involving Jama was reported on 25 September 2026, and Grant faced suspicion after a tense round‑table discussion on 2 October 2026. Episode three therefore marks the first major elimination and the highest viewership milestone of the series so far.