Celebrity Traitors star Julie Hesmondhalgh compares show experience to childbirth as she admits: 'It was a bit of a poisoned chalice ultimately'
She is the latest star banished from the showCelebrity Traitors star Julie Hesmondhalgh has opened up about her time on the BBC show after becoming the latest player banished at the round table.
Speaking after her banishment with the BBC, she explained that fellow actor Ross Kemp made such an impression on her.
She said: “Ross was also the big, unexpected love for me in this series. He’s just wonderful.”
Julie was struck by the contrast between Ross’s real-life experiences and his nerves inside the castle. She described him as terrified of the pretend murders, despite regularly discussing the horrific things he had witnessed.
Celebrity Traitors star Julie Hesmondhalgh reflects on her exit
Julie’s own game ended when the round table turned against her last night (Oct 9). She received nine votes, while Professor Hannah Fry received six, and revealed she had been a Faithful.
Romesh Ranganathan defended her, pointing out how dramatically the group had changed its opinion of her trustworthiness.
Julie had been voted the most trustworthy player at the start of the series. Although touched by that judgement, she feared the early attention could make her a target.
She had worried that greeting everyone enthusiastically in a bright red dress made keeping a low profile harder.
Her pursuit of Myha’la, who also turned out to be a Faithful, later helped bring her game unstuck.
At the round table, Julie felt she struggled to make her case while Hannah defended herself successfully.
She admitted: “Hannah was doing a brilliant job of defending herself, and I was absolutely rubbish.”
Julie also recalled her mouth drying up during the confrontation. She felt that made her appear guilty, despite being on the Faithful side.
Catching Richard E Grant was a highlight for Julie
There was still one major success to celebrate: helping catch Richard E Grant early in the game.
“It was the best feeling, I cannot begin to tell you how incredible that feeling is,” she said.
Julie continued: “Right up there with marriage and childbirth! But of course it created this atmosphere of such cockiness and such blood thirstiness, it was a bit of a poisoned chalice ultimately.”
Despite her departure, she described her time on the programme as joyful, with frequent laughter throughout the day. She said she would miss being part of it.
Ross Kemp faces danger on Celebrity Traitors
Julie’s favourite now has another challenge ahead. Ross, Rob Beckett and Romesh face a possible face-to-face murder following a hide-and-seek game around the castle crypts.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock is also involved, but has a protective key. If the Traitors choose her, they could leave without claiming a victim.
For the remaining Faithful, Julie’s advice was to consider less obvious suspects, including people closest to them.
Celebrity Traitors returns to BBC One next Thursday at 8pm.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI technology to synthesise source reporting and structured data. It has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our human editorial team before publication.
