Episode 4 recap: chaos, shrieks, and social media moments
The fourth episode of The Celebrity Traitors serves up more drama, deception, and a surprising number of shriek-filled moments. As the castle walls echoed with wails, fans were treated to a blend of classic game-show strategy and tongue-in-cheek humor from a star-studded lineup.
A chorus of shrieks steals the show
One of the episode’s standout challenges had contestants coaxing a group of banshees to sing, then retelling those eerie tunes down a well. The result? A flurry of memorable moments on subtitles across social media. Viewers fixated on lines like “Celia shrieks strangely” and “They repeat the wail,” highlighting how the captions became a hit in their own right. In a format built on misdirection and performance, the subtitles gave fans a fresh way to engage with the chaos on screen.
As for performances, singer Charlotte Church was singled out as the most impressive by social chatter, while Celia Imrie drew praise for her facial expressions and quick wit—some fans crowned her “the funniest person to have ever existed.” The episode reinforced how much personality can tilt public perception, even when the game’s outcome remains uncertain.
Stephen Fry, Claudia Winkleman and a risky dive
There was a rare, light-hearted moment when presenter Claudia Winkleman’s mask effect seemed to slip as Sir Stephen Fry emerged from a well. Winkleman’s exclamation—”Oh no, Stephen Fry is in the water, I can’t look”—captured the playful chaos that defines The Celebrity Traitors. Fry’s own reaction—”I’m a grown man, what the hell am I doing”—became a quotable moment, underscoring the blend of fear, humor, and audacity that characterizes the show’s survival challenges.
The Traitors teased a new round of suspicion and betrayal
Suspense continued to mount as the episode spotlighted the ever-present tension between trust and deceit. Ruth Codd, a younger contestant known for her sharp one-liners, was murdered by the traitors—an early-season turning point that left fans mourning and speculating about future twists. Social media reactions poured in, with one X user noting “Icon down” as fans bid farewell to a fan-favorite.
Throughout the episode, the interplay between traitors and faithfuls kept audiences guessing. Jonathan Ross’s status as a prime suspect sparked debate, with the traitors and faithfuls weighing each move. In a moment of meta-commentary, Ross quipped about double bluffs, reminding viewers that strategy in The Celebrity Traitors often hinges on second-guessing more than raw deduction.
Who’s faithful and who’s plotting?
The weekly vote revealed Clare Balding’s surprising banishment from the castle. At 54, Balding accrued seven votes from fellow contestants, a reminder that even well-known figures can misread a strategy or misjudge a fellow player. Balding later revealed she was, in fact, a faithful, adding an emotional twist to the episode’s already dense web of loyalties.
Other faithfuls in this installment included YouTube prankster Niko Omilana and actress Tameka Empson, both of whom faced the night’s voting dynamics. The double layer of deception—public inference and private alignment—remains the show’s core appeal, as contestants balance public perception with the reality of their alliances inside the castle.
Visuals, wardrobe and the little things
Beyond plot twists, the episode offered memorable style notes. Ross’s polka dot orange coat drew playful comparisons to a “Flintstones” outfit, while Alan Carr demonstrated a chilling evolution from comic relief to strategic killer, doubling down on the show’s theme of transformable personas under pressure. Lucy Beaumont added a practical layer of humor, joking that height might hinder her ability to read others, though she could still spot a wardrobe malfunction—like undone flies—across the room.
Why The Celebrity Traitors keeps attracting viewers
As the series unfolds, the appeal lies not only in the game’s mechanics—murder, betrayal, and cunning—but in the human moments. The cast’s personalities, the banter with the host, and the unpredictable turns create a compelling blend of suspense and comedy. The fourth episode continues to demonstrate why audiences are drawn to the darker side of reality television: the thrill of the unknown, the joy of sharp wit, and the perpetual question of who can truly be trusted when the truth is a misdirection away.
What’s next?
With more rounds to come and several trusted players still in the mix, fans can expect sharper suspicion, bolder betrayals, and more unforgettable shrieks as the season progresses. The Traitors’ castle walls may be quiet at times, but the drama is anything but silent.
