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James Blunt has finally spoken about the dramatic moment he was voted out of The Celebrity Traitors, admitting that he felt betrayed when comedian Romesh Ranganathan turned against him during the final.
The unexpected decision created one of the show’s most memorable moments. Blunt believed he had proved his loyalty throughout the competition, making Ranganathan’s vote particularly shocking.
However, the singer has made one thing clear: despite the tension during the game, there is no lasting disagreement between the two friends.
Here is what happened during the finale, why Blunt felt betrayed, and how the two celebrities have responded since the show ended.
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Quick Summary: What Happened Between James Blunt and Romesh Ranganathan?
- James Blunt, Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft reached the final three of The Celebrity Traitors.
- Ranganathan voted against Blunt because he believed the singer was a traitor.
- Blunt was shocked and responded by voting against Ranganathan.
- Blunt was eventually banished, while Ranganathan and Croft won.
- All three finalists were faithfuls.
- Blunt later described Ranganathan’s decision as a betrayal but confirmed they remain close friends.
- The finale attracted an average overnight audience of 11.2 million viewers.
Why Did James Blunt Feel Betrayed by Romesh Ranganathan?
The disagreement happened during the final stage of The Celebrity Traitors, when the remaining contestants had to decide who they believed was secretly working against the group.
Blunt had made it to the final three alongside Ranganathan and actor Sebastian Croft. At that point, the singer believed his actions throughout the competition had shown that he was a faithful contestant.
However, Ranganathan did not share that confidence.
The comedian voted for Blunt, believing the singer could be a traitor. His decision caught Blunt off guard and led to an unexpected exchange at the final roundtable.
Speaking on BBC Radio 2’s The Sara Cox Breakfast Show, Blunt explained that he felt he had already demonstrated his loyalty.
He said he was surprised because other contestants had reportedly recognised him as a faithful during their discussions.
Blunt described Ranganathan’s move as underhanded and said it was a treacherous decision.
The singer also responded by casting his own final vote against Ranganathan.
What Did James Blunt Say About the Final Betrayal?
During his radio interview, Blunt did not hide his disappointment.
He explained that he believed his behaviour throughout the competition had made his position clear. Therefore, Ranganathan’s decision to vote him out felt unexpected.
Blunt said he felt betrayed when the comedian turned against him.
However, his comments also showed that he understood the nature of the game. The Celebrity Traitors is built around suspicion, deception and difficult decisions.
Contestants must make choices without knowing who they can trust.
For Blunt, the final vote was particularly dramatic because it came from someone he considered a close friend.
Despite the emotional reaction, he described the ending as perfect and said he genuinely enjoyed taking part in the programme.
Did James Blunt and Romesh Ranganathan Have a Real-Life Feud?
No. James Blunt has confirmed that there is no bad blood between him and Romesh Ranganathan.
Although the final vote created tension on screen, Blunt explained that their friendship remained strong outside the competition.
He said they were really close and insisted that they remained good friends.
This distinction is important because The Celebrity Traitors is a reality competition. Contestants are expected to deceive one another, question friendships and make strategic decisions to survive.
A dramatic moment on television does not necessarily mean a real-life friendship has ended.
Blunt’s comments suggest that he understood the difference between the game and his personal relationship with Ranganathan.
How Did James Blunt End Up on The Celebrity Traitors?
Interestingly, Blunt revealed that joining the reality show was not originally his idea.
Speaking on LBC’s Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, the singer explained that he had not been particularly interested in appearing on reality television.
His manager had not even told him about the invitation because he had pushed back against the idea.
Instead, Blunt’s wife took matters into her own hands.
He explained that she walked in one morning and told him she had signed him up for The Traitors.
Blunt joked that she may have wanted some time away from him, sending him to Inverness to be locked away.
Despite his initial reluctance, he eventually embraced the experience.
He also praised the other celebrities, describing them as lovely people. He particularly mentioned content creator King Kenny as someone he bonded with during filming.
His experience shows how an unexpected opportunity can turn into an enjoyable adventure, even when the person involved was initially unsure.
Who Won The Celebrity Traitors Finale?
Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft emerged as the winners after Blunt’s banishment.
The surprising part was that all three finalists were faithfuls. This meant the final disagreement was not between a faithful and a traitor but between contestants who were ultimately on the same side.
The two winners shared the £83,000 prize money between their chosen charities:
- Choose Love: A charity supporting refugees and displaced people.
- Refugee Council: An organisation supporting refugees and people seeking asylum.
Their victory brought the competition to a close, although Blunt’s dramatic exit quickly became one of the biggest talking points.
The Celebrity Traitors Finale Attracted Record Viewership
The finale was also a major television success.
According to the figures provided in the report, the episode attracted an average overnight audience of 11.2 million viewers.
It also reached a peak of 11.6 million viewers on BBC One, with an audience share of 62.9 per cent.
These figures made it the most-watched episode of the celebrity spin-off so far.
The final also performed better than the previous year’s finale, which attracted an average overnight audience of 11.1 million.
The strong audience figures show how much interest the programme has generated.
Its mix of celebrity personalities, unexpected alliances, suspicion and dramatic eliminations has helped make it a major television talking point.
Why The James Blunt and Romesh Ranganathan Moment Got Everyone Talking
The final disagreement attracted attention because it involved two people who appeared to have developed a close friendship during the competition.
Several factors made the moment particularly memorable.
1. A friendship was tested
Viewers saw a contestant make a decision against someone he had spent considerable time with.
2. Blunt did not expect the vote
The singer believed he had done enough to prove his loyalty, making the decision more surprising.
3. Both men reacted strongly
Blunt responded by voting against Ranganathan, creating a tense final exchange.
4. The outcome was unexpected
All three finalists were faithfuls, meaning the final vote was based on suspicion rather than an actual traitor being exposed.
5. Their friendship survived
Blunt later confirmed that he and Ranganathan remained close friends, giving viewers reassurance that the disagreement was part of the game.
What James Blunt’s Celebrity Traitors Experience Reveals About Reality TV
Reality television often places friendships under pressure.
Programmes like The Celebrity Traitors require contestants to make decisions that may upset people they genuinely like.
Even when participants understand the rules, the emotional experience can be different from what they expect.
Blunt’s experience highlights several things about the format:
- Trust can change quickly when contestants are under pressure.
- Friendship does not always prevent someone from making a strategic decision.
- A contestant can feel hurt even when another player believes they are making the right choice.
- The end of a competition does not have to mean the end of a friendship.
For viewers, these moments are part of what makes the show entertaining.
For contestants, however, they can create difficult situations that require honest conversations after filming.
Frequently Asked Questions About James Blunt and The Celebrity Traitors
1. Why did James Blunt say he felt betrayed by Romesh Ranganathan?
Blunt felt betrayed because Ranganathan voted to banish him during the final. The singer believed he had already proved that he was a faithful contestant.
2. Did James Blunt leave The Celebrity Traitors?
Yes. Blunt was voted out during the final three after Ranganathan voted against him.
3. Who won The Celebrity Traitors?
Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft won the competition after Blunt was banished. All three finalists were faithfuls.
4. Are James Blunt and Romesh Ranganathan still friends?
Yes. Blunt confirmed that they remain close friends and insisted that there is no bad blood between them.
5. How many people watched The Celebrity Traitors finale?
The finale attracted an average overnight audience of 11.2 million viewers and peaked at 11.6 million on BBC One, according to the figures reported.
Trustworthy External Sources
For further reading and verification, consult:
- BBC: Official programme information, interviews and audience updates — https://www.bbc.co.uk/
- LBC: James Blunt’s interview on Nick Ferrari at Breakfast — https://www.lbc.co.uk/
- BBC Radio 2: The Sara Cox Breakfast Show — https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds
- The Independent: Original report on James Blunt’s comments — https://www.independent.co.uk/
