Celebrity Traitors filming halted after James Acaster gerw 'very anxious'
Filming on The Celebrity Traitors was paused after James Acaster got "very anxious and panicked".
Filming on The Celebrity Traitors was paused after James Acaster got "very anxious".
The 41-year-old comic was visibly stressed while filming at Ardross Castle with fellow contestants, prompting his co-stars to flag their concerns to producers, who halted filming so that the crew could check on him.
A source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: “The show is incredibly intense and during one particular scene at the castle, James became very anxious and panicked.
“Some of the other celebrities on the show spoke up and said cameras should stop rolling so he could calm down, and production were in agreement as well. Everyone looks out for each other and there is a proper sense of camaraderie. It was good for James to have a breather, as everyone felt it was for the best.
“The break didn’t affect the outcome of the game at all, but showed just how passionate and tense everyone on set was. It’s easy to become fully immersed.”
A spokesperson for the show insisted contestant "safety and welfare" is always their biggest concern.
The representative said: “The Traitors is a unique and immersive game, and we recognise that taking part can be intense at times.
“Our highest priority is always the safety and welfare of everyone taking part. Players are closely monitored and supported throughout by production, which includes a dedicated and experienced welfare team.”
There are a number of comedians taking part this year, including Joe Lycett, Miranda Hart, Romesh Ranganathan, Joanne McNally and Rob Beckett, and James recently admitted it is a "concern".
He explained to the BBC: "There will be suspicions that it’s going to be at least one of these guys, that we might form an alliance if we’re not broken apart.
"I think we're going to be the first ones under the magnifying glass being looked at. Particularly at the beginning when you have absolutely nothing to go on.
"And then you consider that a comedian won last year with Alan Carr disarming everyone with jokes the whole time. He has tainted us all!"
The Off Menu podcaster joked that mathematician Hannah Fry is likely to convince the group that "probability-wise, there’s most likely to be at least one comic chosen as a Traitor because there's enough of us".
He added: "Even though it could obviously easily be three people who aren't comedians… I don't know how it works out, but if maths turns against us we're in big trouble."
When it comes to his own chances of making it to the end, James has "no idea" whether or not he's got what it takes.
He said: "Every time I watch any of the series there seems to be no rhyme or reason. People can be really quiet, and they make it to the end.
"People are huge characters, and they make it to the end. You can be quiet and go under the radar; you can be a big character and end up putting yourself in the firing line.
"Anyone could get to the end. You can avoid murder or banishment by simply not being respected enough to be seen as a threat.
"And I think I could very easily be seen as not a threat. Yeah, I could be there to the end. It’s anyone’s game really."
