It was supposed to be a tense and suspense-filled moment — one of betrayal, strategy, and psychological warfare. But instead, it was a fart that stole the show.
In what has already been dubbed one of the most memorable moments in The Celebrity Traitors history, veteran British actress Celia Imrie left both her fellow contestants and millions of viewers howling with laughter after releasing a very audible bout of wind during a nail-biting roundtable discussion.
“What just happened?” gasped presenter Claudia Winkleman, visibly stunned by the interruption.
“I just farted, Claudia. It’s nerves — but I always own up,” replied Imrie, unflustered and unapologetic, sparking fits of laughter around the cabin.
The incident quickly became an internet sensation, with fans declaring it “the TV highlight of the year” and proof that even the most refined British icons are gloriously human.
The Fart Heard Round the Nation
Imrie, 72, known for her distinguished film and stage career — from Calendar Girls to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel — proved that no amount of poise can suppress the physical toll of high-stakes deception.
Co-star Kate Garraway, speaking later on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, couldn’t resist recounting the moment. “It was so loud!” she laughed. “How could somebody so elegant, so petite, so gracious, let off that huge sound? It was my favourite moment of the entire experience — it broke all the tension!”
Presenter Winkleman, meanwhile, had the difficult task of restoring order among the giggling celebrities. “Settle down!” she insisted, before swiftly moving them on to the next challenge — though the laughter lingered long after.
Fans Crown It “Peak British Television”
Within hours, social media lit up. One X (formerly Twitter) user declared, “Celia Imrie farting during The Traitors is peak Britain — shut it down, we’ve peaked as a nation.” Another wrote: “Critically acclaimed thespian Celia Imrie farts like the rest of us folks.”
Entertainment reporter Catrina Rose summed up the public mood perfectly: “It’s rare that a single sound effect unites the country, but here we are.”
The moment even trended across X and TikTok, with clips amassing hundreds of thousands of views. Many praised Imrie’s candour and quick wit, with one viral comment reading: “Celia didn’t just pass gas — she passed into TV history.”
But Behind the Laughter, Real Tension
While the fart provided comic relief, the third episode of The Celebrity Traitors was anything but lighthearted overall. Two contestants were eliminated in quick succession, leaving fans reeling and social media ablaze with theories and frustration.
First to go was YouTube star Niko Omilana, who had been suspected by fellow contestants — including actor Sir Stephen Fry — of being one of the dreaded “Traitors.” In a shock twist, however, Omilana was revealed to be a Faithful.
His exit drew strong reactions online. “Niko’s only crime was being an outsider,” one viewer wrote. “The celebs didn’t know him and turned on him — nothing to do with the game.”
Entertainment journalist Indigo Stafford agreed, telling BBC News: “Niko being eliminated has sent shockwaves through social media. Many fans believe his lack of celebrity connections made him an easy target in a room full of established stars.”
Omilana himself leaned into the humor of the situation. Posting a TikTok video after his elimination, he showed himself being “shunned” by friends, with the caption: ‘POV: You try to make friends in The Traitors.’
A Brutal Night for Tom Daley and Tameka Empson
As if one shocking exit wasn’t enough, the episode also saw Olympic diver Tom Daley meet his fate — metaphorically speaking — at the hands of the Traitors.
Daley, 31, took the fictional “murder” in good spirits, saying he was “gutted but flattered” to have been seen as a threat. Meanwhile, Jonathan Ross, gleefully playing a Traitor, couldn’t resist a jab: “Gold medals don’t count as shields, do they?”
By the end of the episode, actress and comedian Tameka Empson became the next to be banished after being wrongly accused of deceit. “She wasn’t a Traitor,” Winkleman confirmed, leaving the Faithfuls with yet another misstep.
Alan Carr: From Nervous Wreck to “Killing Machine”
Perhaps the biggest character transformation came from comedian Alan Carr, who began the series visibly jittery about the deceitful nature of the game. By episode three, however, he had fully embraced the dark side.
In one chillingly funny moment inside the turret, while discussing potential future murders, Carr quipped: “I’ve got a taste for it now.”
Later, when fellow contestants mourned Daley’s exit at breakfast, Carr deadpanned: “People couldn’t believe it. ‘Why Tom? Where’s Tom?’ Well, he’s been murdered. Deal with it.”
“Alan has happily become a killing machine,” observed Catrina Rose, capturing what many fans have called Carr’s “villain era.”
Celia Imrie’s Honesty Wins Hearts
Despite all the scheming and betrayals, it was Celia Imrie’s unapologetic moment of humanity that viewers took to heart. Her willingness to laugh at herself — and own up instantly — became a refreshing antidote to the show’s intensity.
In the closing moments of the episode, Carr even confessed to her why he’d voted to banish her earlier.
“Can I be honest with you?” he said. “It was that fart in the hut.”
Imrie laughed it off, sealing her place as the unexpected hero of the night — and proving that even in a game built on lies, honesty (and a little flatulence) can still win hearts.
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