Celebrity Traitors finale: James Acaster cements legacy as an iconic contestant

James Acaster has finally spoken out about his surprising rise as a national sex symbol following his appearance on The Celebrity Traitors, admitting he is enjoying the attention. Speaking on the Vinylly Retentive podcast, the comedian told presenter Patrick Kielty that being fancied by viewers was "quite a nicer turn of events". According to Metro ^[1], the 41-year-old confessed that after the lockdowns, he had assumed, "well, that’s it, over for me, no one’s ever going to fancy me again".

His sudden appeal has inspired a wave of thirst-trap edits across social media, with fans captivated by his appearances in the Scottish castle. The Independent reported ^[3] that Acaster was described as an "accidental sex symbol" by Kielty, a label Acaster accepted with humour. "Great. It’s fine. It’s nice," he replied when asked about the phenomenon.

His close friend and Off Menu co-host Ed Gamble previously told Metro ^[1] that the comedian’s looks have been "common knowledge" among their podcast listeners for years. Gamble noted that he had been inundated with videos of Acaster looking attractive on the show. "He is a very conventionally handsome man, he is a very clever man, a very nice man, so it does not surprise me in the slightest," Gamble explained.

While the internet focused on his looks, Acaster’s gameplay has been equally notable. He adopted a "Faithful Traitor" strategy, behaving as if he were not a villain to avoid suspicion. The Mirror reviewed ^[2] his performance as "a blinder", suggesting his unconventional approach has cemented his standing as one of the most iconic contestants in the show's history.

Despite his reluctance to embrace the traditional villainous role, Acaster remains in contention alongside fellow Traitors Maya Jama and King Kenny. The Mirror noted ^[2] that his exit or continued presence has significantly altered the group dynamics, forcing remaining players to reconsider their trust. The Celebrity Traitors finale airs on Friday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, where the winner will be crowned.