Last week on The Celebrity Traitors, actor Celia Imrie broke wind during a tense cabin mission, prompting host Claudia Winkleman to ask, “What just happened?” Imrie sweetly replied, “I just farted. It’s nerves – but I always own up.” The moment went viral, with Deadline magazine noting it “put some wind in the sails of the show’s ratings”.
The incident has helped boost viewing figures to nearly 7 million live and 11.7 million total, making the celebrity edition an even bigger hit than the civilian series. Half of all Britons watching TV at 9pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays are now tuning in to Ardross Castle, with comedian Alan Carr and Imrie emerging as the standout contestants.
Carr, a Traitor, initially panicked at his role, dubbing himself “the new Linda” and worrying about his sweating problem. However, he has since grown into the part, coldly betraying friend Paloma Faith and writing death orders with relish. “I’ve got a taste for it now,” he said. Richard Osman compared him to “an accountant who’s accidentally been made head of a mafia family”.
Imrie, a Faithful, has won over audiences with her eccentric charm and comic timing. Beyond her flatulence, she delivered a memorable performance during a mission requiring her team to wail down a well, with her deranged shrieks drawing laughter. The duo are now locked in a battle for the show’s MVP, with Carr’s odds to win slashed by bookmakers.
