Get ready for a jaw-dropping moment that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about reality TV—because a celebrity’s unexpected flatulence just became the most talked-about moment of the season. Yes, you read that right. In the third episode of The Celebrity Traitors, veteran actress Celia Imrie let one rip during a nail-biting moment, and the internet hasn’t stopped buzzing since. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some viewers are calling it the highlight of the year, others are wondering if it’s a sign that the show’s focus has shifted too far from its dramatic core. Let’s dive in.
The episode, packed with murder, betrayal, and strategic lies, took an unexpected turn when Imrie’s candid admission—“I just farted, Claudia. It’s nerves, but I always own up”—sent the cast and audience into fits of laughter. Presenter Claudia Winkleman had to reign in the chaos before the next challenge could begin. And this is the part most people miss: in a show known for its dark, cutthroat dynamics, this lighthearted moment became a cultural talking point, with fans online declaring it everything from “the TV highlight of the year” to a sign that “we’ve peaked as a nation.” Even showbiz reporter Catrina Rose chimed in, noting, “Critically acclaimed thespian Celia Imrie farts like the rest of us folks.”
But it wasn’t all laughs. The episode also saw the elimination of two younger celebrities, sparking heated debates among viewers. YouTube star Niko Omilana, wrongly accused of being a Traitor by the likes of Sir Stephen Fry, was banished despite his loyalty. His exit ignited a backlash, with fans arguing he was targeted for being an outsider. “They’ve all been cowards,” one X user wrote, while entertainment journalist Indigo Stafford observed, “His elimination sent shockwaves through social media. Many viewers felt it came out of nowhere, and now a new theory is spreading: the other contestants voted him out because they didn’t know him well.” Is this a case of celebrity cliques ruling the game, or just part of the strategy? It’s a question that’s dividing fans.
The drama didn’t stop there. Olympic diver Tom Daley was murdered by the Traitors, leaving him “gutted”—though Traitor Jonathan Ross couldn’t resist a quip: “Gold medals don’t count as shields, do they?” Meanwhile, comedian Alan Carr underwent a startling transformation, shedding his nervous giggles to embrace his role as a Traitor. “I’ve got a taste for it now,” he admitted after plotting Paloma Faith’s murder. His eye-rolling reaction to Daley’s death—“Well, he’s been murdered. Deal with it”—left viewers wondering if he’s gone too far. As Rose put it, “Alan has happily become a killing machine.”
The episode ended on a cliffhanger, with the Traitors debating their next target: Ruth Codd, Charlotte Church, or David Olusoga. But in a surprising twist, Carr confessed to Imrie why he’d voted for her earlier: “It was that fart in the hut.” A laughable reason? Maybe. But it’s moments like these that keep viewers hooked.
The Celebrity Traitors airs on BBC One Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:00 BST and is available on BBC iPlayer. With nine episodes in total, the question remains: will the show continue to balance its dark intrigue with these unexpected, humanizing moments? And more importantly, is this the direction reality TV should be heading, or has it gone too far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’re all ears!
