James Blunt Broke A Major Celebrity Traitors Show Rule
BBC / Studio Lambert
James Blunt has had a telling-off from The Celebrity Traitors bosses — and it all comes down to his fancy tweed suit.
Days before Series 2 kicked off, the singer posted an official BBC publicity shot of himself on X in a £1,695 three-piece from Cotswolds tailor Barrington Ayre.
‘The Name’s Blunt, James Blunt”
The image carried the usual Celebrity Traitors and BBC logos. However, Blunt linked the brand and captioned the post: “The name’s Blunt. James Blunt.”
BBC / Studio Lambert
The rule break
BBC guidelines stop talent from using the corporation’s shows for commercial plugs. The BBC and Studio Lambert hadn’t spotted the post until The Mail on Sunday flagged it.
A BBC insider said: “As soon as the BBC was alerted, it spoke to all parties and the post was removed from X.”
The BBC took action
A spokesperson later told Metro: “The BBC has clear guidelines in place around commercial activity which we take very seriously, and players have been reminded of this. The social media posts referred to have been taken down.”
Barrington Ayre says there was no formal deal — Blunt simply wore their William Bliss Cotswold Country Tweed for the cameras.
What’s happened so far
Despite Blunt’s social media mishap, BBC bosses are “thrilled” with The Celebrity Traitors Series 2 so far.
In case you missed the show’s chaotic first two weeks, here’s what went down: Claudia picked Maya Jama and Richard E. Grant as Traitors — Richard immediately told Joe Lycett he was one. Amol was murdered, James Acaster recruited, and Richard banished at the first round table. Hannah Fry has since joined the Traitors, with Myha’la, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Bella Ramsey all already out.
Ratings are soaring
Series 2 opened to a live average of 8.9 million viewers (peaking at 9.1 million), with episode 2 holding strong at an 8.5 million average (8.6 million peak). Insiders say the numbers have already beaten expectations as the series keeps viewers hooked.
“Execs are thrilled by the figures, which are beyond what they would have expected or hoped for, particularly in a new world of TV where fewer people tune in for live TV,” a source told The Sun. “It shows there’s still a hunger for the experience of shared TV, if the show delivers.”
The Celebrity Traitors continues Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
