Episode 4 recap: shrieks, subtleties, and strategic tells
The latest instalment of The Celebrity Traitors delivered more than just secret tactics and tense round-table talk. Episode 4 leaned into a mix of outrageous shrieks, sharp social media reaction, and a few gasp-worthy moments that kept viewers guessing who among the cast might be faithful.
As the episode opened, the cast faced a challenge that blended sound theatrics with a test of nerve. Participants including Alan Carr, Celia Imrie, and Lucy Beaumont were tasked with coaxing a chorus of banshees to sing, then relaying the eerie melodies down a well. The stunt was as much about timing and tone as it was about deception, with downtime during the relays giving rivals precious opportunities to read reactions and cues.
Social media quickly zeroed in on the subtitles. Fans noted that Celia Imrie’s shrieks were “strange” and that certain refrains “repeat the wail.” The consensus on X (Twitter) praised the subtitles themselves as a hidden star of the night, proving once again that small production details can steal scenes as effectively as the big moments.
On the lighter side, Charlotte Church emerged as the night’s standout singer, delivering a performance with surprising precision that drew applause from viewers and contestants alike. Yet Imrie’s capricious expressions remained a favourite for fans online, with one fan calling her “the funniest person to have ever existed.”
The episode featured a rare moment of backstage chaos when Claudia Winkleman’s mask seemed to slip. Sir Stephen Fry, ever the sport, plunged his head into a well, prompting Winkleman to declare, “Oh no, Stephen Fry is in the water, I can’t look.” Fry’s response—“I’m a grown man, what the hell am I doing”—captured the series’ blend of high camp and good-natured chaos.
Despite the stars’ best efforts, the roundtable verdict remained a common talking point. TV critic Toby Earle slammed the contestants as “hopeless,” underscoring the ongoing tension between talent and trust that drives the show. Clare Balding, the celebrated broadcaster, became the latest to be banished from the castle after receiving seven votes from fellow players, revealing she had remained faithful. The moment underscored the game’s core tension: loyalty versus deception in a setting designed to test both.
Other faithfuls, including YouTube creator Niko Omilana and actress Tameka Empson, had already faced the roundtable’s fates in earlier episodes, reminding viewers that every round can redefine alliances. Meanwhile, the traitors continued to puzzle and misdirect. Ruth Codd, a rising young actress known for her witty one-liners, was murdered by the traitors—an emotional beat that sparked posts from fans grieving a character they’d come to root for.
Jonathan Ross remained a focal point of speculation, especially after he warned a fellow traitor that removing a prime suspect could backfire. The banter around “double bluff” moments underscored the game’s core paradox: the more you guess right, the more you risk tipping your hand to others. Ross’s self-congratulatory line—“How am I still here? I’ve got to be the luckiest traitor in the history of the game”—served as a sly reminder of the unpredictable nature of The Celebrity Traitors.
From costumes to confrontations, Episode 4 offered a vivid mix of drama. A polka-dot orange coat became a talking point, described by a fellow contestant as a “Flintstones outfit,” highlighting how fashion can become a visual shorthand for misdirection in the game. Alan Carr’s shift from jovial ally to potential trier of the group’s dynamics continued, with a strategic line aimed at preemptively silencing potential threats. “Let’s get rid of her now before she poisons everyone,” he quipped, a line that encapsulated the show’s blend of humor and bite.
As the cast navigates height, sightlines, and moral questions, viewers remain hooked on who will survive the next round and who might finally reveal the Traitors’ true identities. The next episode promises more twists, more misdirection, and a continued exploration of why audiences are drawn to The Traitors’ dark, duplicitous corners.
What this episode says about the allure of The Traitors
Episode 4 reiterates a core appeal of the format: ethical ambiguity set against social drama. The mix of candid shrieks, sharp banter, and evolving loyalties creates a compelling voyeur’s view into betrayal, trust, and the psychology of competition.
