Romesh Ranganathan Admits Celebrity Traitors Betrayal of James Blunt Haunts Him Comedian Romesh Ranganathan reveals regret over betraying James Blunt during the Celebrity Traitors finale. Discover how the move secured victory with Sebastian Croft and split the prize. Comedian Romesh Ranganathan has publicly acknowledged that his strategic betrayal of musician James Blunt during the tense finale of the BBC series Celebrity Traitors will leave a lasting emotional impact on him. Ranganathan, who partnered with actor Sebastian Croft to claim the championship title, revealed his deep regret over the decision to question Blunt's Faithful status, a pivotal moment that ultimately led to the singer's elimination from the competition. The Betrayal That Secured The VictoryRanganathan admitted that the regret stemming from his actions against Blunt will stay with him for a long time, describing the incident as something that makes him feel really bad. The controversy erupted on Friday night when Ranganathan, alongside co-star Sebastian Croft, was crowned the champion of the show, splitting the £83,000 prize pot between them. Despite being in a strong position, Blunt was blindsided when Ranganathan publicly questioned whether he was a Faithful, a claim the singer vehemently denied by insisting the comedian was entirely wrong.However, the dynamic shifted instantly when Sebastian Croft pulled Blunt aside to defend his friend's integrity, arguing that he believed Blunt was indeed a Faithful. Convinced by Croft's testimony, Ranganathan conceded his earlier stance and voted to banish contestant King Kenny. This vote was critical as it revealed that only three Faithfuls remained in the game, forcing a rapid conclusion to the tournament as the remaining players agreed to end the game immediately.Stakeholder Positions And Rumored FeudThe tension on set led to widespread speculation about a personal feud between the two stars, prompting questions about whether they were on speaking terms during an appearance on One Show on Monday. Ranganathan moved quickly to dispel these rumors, confirming that he and Blunt are friends and that all is good between them. He disclosed that Blunt had texted him recently, albeit with a humorous threat saying he knew where Ranganathan lived, which Ranganathan shared to demonstrate their comfortable and friendly rapport.Ranganathan explained that he trusted Croft's judgment implicitly, stating that he believed Croft when the actor insisted Blunt was trustworthy. He expressed shock when Blunt decided to vote for another banishment rather than ending the game, realizing too late that this move sealed Blunt's fate. With only two Faithfuls remaining after Blunt's vote, the other players inevitably cast their ballots against him, leading to his elimination despite his claims of innocence.Impact On Viewers And Ratings RecordsThe Celebrity Traitors finale attracted a record-breaking audience of 11.2 million viewers, making it the biggest UK overnight and consolidated TV audience of 2026 so far. The figure represented a slight increase from the 2025 series final, which drew 11 million viewers when Alan Carr emerged victorious. Despite mixed critical reviews describing the ending as underwhelming and anticlimactic, the nail-biting conclusion resonated strongly with the public, proving the show's enduring popularity.Blunt's bid for the championship was left in tatters after he took a swipe at Ranganathan during the confrontation, a move that sparked the widespread rumors of discord. The audience reaction was largely positive toward the winners, with viewers applauding Ranganathan and Croft for their strategic gameplay. The pair successfully banished Traitors Maya Jama and King Kenny, who had successfully operated under the radar until King Kenny's partner, James Acaster, revealed his identity in a moment of stress the previous Thursday.Charitable Wins And Future PlansThe victorious duo shared the £83,000 prize money equally, with each receiving £41,500 to donate to their chosen charities. Ranganathan selected Choose Love for the donation, while Croft chose the Refugee Council. The pair shared an emotional embrace as host Claudia Winkleman congratulated them on their win, highlighting the strong bond that formed between them during the intense competition.Ranganathan reflected that his biggest highlight of the experience was making a friend in Croft, noting that relying on that friendship in the end game paid off in a way that made him feel really good. Croft, who broke down in tears during the exit interview, described the victory as possibly the best day of his life, citing the moment Ranganathan declared his faith as particularly wild and incredible. Ranganathan also mentioned that there is a WhatsApp group featuring all the cast members, adding that they all plan to meet up at some point in the future to celebrate their shared experience.