Since The Celebrity Traitors lineup was released, everyone’s been obsessing over best buds and comedic double-act Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett. Will they work together? Will they backstab each other? But there’s an even more delightful, and deceptive, duo hiding in plain sight: Jerry Hall and Richard E Grant.
The blonde bombshell and supermodel, 70, revealed in last night's inaugural episode that she’s been neighbours with the Saltburn and Withnail And I star for three decades. While they haven’t openly flaunted their friendship, they’ve made themselves the centre of attention in other ways. Jerry’s fabulous Texan musings and magnetic presence have made her an early fan favourite, while Richard's shock Traitor admission has dominated headlines today. However, we think the pair are scheming together and we’ve picked up three clues that suggest they've come up with a master game plan.
Jerry Hall is Richard E Grant's shield
Supermodel Jerry Hall, 70, opened up about the pair’s special bond – revealing they’ve been friends for 30 years and are neighbours, they even holidayed together earlier this year. In 2004, they both played tooth fairies together in the film Tooth, but they’re certainly a more menacing force across Ardross Castle.
Richard E Grant made history with his shock admission in the opening episode of The Celebrity Traitors last night. Moments after Claudia delivered the devilish shoulder tap to him and Maya Jama, he did what no contestant has ever done before – he told his fellow competitors he was a Traitor. ‘What are you?’ Joe Lycett asked.‘Traitor,’ Richard said, grinning. He later doubled down saying: ‘What’s the point in playing the game if you’re not?’
While Richard has insisted that ‘friendship means diddlysquat’ in the game, we’re not convinced, since this alliance could save him. He’s been scrambling to deflect the Traitor allegations towards Joe Lycett and Julie Hesmondhalgh – who were both given immunity shields – and he has his very own in the form of Jerry. How? She's actively working to draw attention away from Richard but outwitting her opponents and outwardly defending him.
The power of deflection
The former wife of Mick Jagger and Rupert Murdoch has protected her friend on multiple occasions. Jerry Hall appeared unfazed by Richard's declaration, and continued drinking and giggling along while others looked bemused. Later, when Rob asked to share the admission with other members of the group she said: ‘Share what?’ before deflecting: ‘He just wanted to be a Traitor so bad.’
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She later said: ‘I just don’t believe Richard’s a Traitor. I know Richard, I’ve known him 30 years and he’s my neighbour. He says and does eccentric things. He’s an amazing guy, but I think he’s acting out because he’s not been chosen.’
What's more, in the car on the way to the shipwreck, actress Myha'la said, ‘I really, really genuinely do not think he’s a traitor,’ and Jerry agreed, saying, ‘I don’t either.’
We, like every other viewer in the country, were flummoxed. But what if this was the first move in a much bigger game plan? He’s taken on the role of unserious pantomime villain, while Jerry is putting out his fires. Most of the players seem to have brushed off the baffling statement as part of his eccentric charm. While he’s working with Maya to clamp down on potential threats – they’ve chosen Faithfuls James Acaster and Amol Rajan to face the chop tonight.
Despite admitting he’s ‘made a huge mistake’, we think this blatant admission could be the start to the Jerry and Richard takeover. Plus, Jerry has been working overtime to shut down the accusations.
Go big, or go home
Also, she’s clearly a team player who has expertly underplayed her hand. She matter-of-factly told James Blunt and Bella Ramsey she simply wants to stay in the game so she can wear her fabulous outfits. Smart. Players who have made their Traitor intentions known threaten to become an easy target – but that doesn’t mean she’s playing a passive game.
During the shipwreck challenge she expertly ‘manned the crowbar’ while commanding other players in and out of the cold water to collect cargo. Like Richard, she’s hardly a wallflower, but she’s clearly a leader with remarkable influencing power.
While Richard is having a brilliant time creating chaos, Jerry is doing a stellar job at steering accusations away from him. Not to mention that her larger-than-life command and hysterical remarks are going to give her teammates plenty more to discuss – averting eyes away from Richard. Together, these two spotlight-stealing powerhouses might just pull off the ultimate deception.
