Filming on The Celebrity Traitors was paused after James Acaster got ‘very anxious’.The 41-year-old comic was visibly stressed while filming at Ardross Castle with fellow contestants, prompting his co-stars to flag their concerns to producers, who halted filming so that the crew could check on him.James stars in the new series – which begins next Thursday evening – alongside the likes of Maya Jama, James Blunt and Miranda Hart. A source said: ‘The show is incredibly intense and during one particular scene at the castle, James became very anxious and panicked.’Some of the other celebrities on the show spoke up and said cameras should stop rolling so he could calm down, and production were in agreement as well. ‘Everyone looks out for each other and there is a proper sense of camaraderie. It was good for James to have a breather, as everyone felt it was for the best.’ Filming on The Celebrity Traitors was paused after James Acaster got ‘very anxious’ during one scene The 41-year-old comic was visibly stressed while filming at Ardross Castle with fellow contestants, prompting his co-stars to flag their concerns to producers (host Claudia seen)They added to The Sun that the incident didn’t affect the outcome of the game but showed how ‘tense and passionate’ everyone was on set.A spokesman for the show insisted contestant ‘safety and welfare’ is always their biggest concern.The representative said: ‘The Traitors is a unique and immersive game, and we recognise that taking part can be intense at times.’Our highest priority is always the safety and welfare of everyone taking part. Players are closely monitored and supported throughout by production, which includes a dedicated and experienced welfare team.’There are a number of comedians taking part this year, including Joe Lycett, Miranda, Romesh Ranganathan, Joanne McNally and Rob Beckett, and James recently admitted that this is a ‘concern’.He explained to the BBC: ‘There will be suspicions that it’s going to be at least one of these guys, that we might form an alliance if we’re not broken apart.’I think we’re going to be the first ones under the magnifying glass being looked at. Particularly at the beginning when you have absolutely nothing to go on.’And then you consider that a comedian won last year with Alan Carr disarming everyone with jokes the whole time. He has tainted us all!’The Off Menu podcaster joked that mathematician Hannah Fry is likely to convince the group that ‘probability-wise, there’s most likely to be at least one comic chosen as a Traitor because there’s enough of us’. James stars in the new series – which begins next Thursday evening – alongside the likes of Maya Jama, James Blunt and Miranda HartHe added: ‘Even though it could obviously easily be three people who aren’t comedians… I don’t know how it works out, but if maths turns against us we’re in big trouble.’When it comes to his own chances of making it to the end, James has ‘no idea’ whether or not he’s got what it takes.It comes after earlier this week James Blunt revealed he had to ‘speed watch’ the last series of the show after learning his wife Sofia Wellesley signed him up for the show.While James was tight-lipped about his appearance, he did share that he tried to emulate last year’s finalist Joe Marler.The pair were both guests on Thursday’s episode of The One Show, with James quick to avert questions about how far he progressed in the castle.When discussing potential favourites for the show, Joe backed James, saying: ‘It’s James! As soon as that cast was revealed, I was like, it’s James Blunt, he’s going to be the dark horse. I’ve admired him.’Turning to James, he added: ‘I’ve admired you from afar,’ and James replied: ‘Well, I’ve always thought we were brothers separated at birth. We’re so similar!’Reflecting on watching the previous series of The Celebrity Traitors, James revealed: ‘I haven’t watched much TV and I found out from my wife that I was on Celebrity Traitors, she signed me up for it. So I was given a speed-watch of the whole thing.’Asked which former contestant he would most like to emulate, James added: ‘If I can’t be Alan Carr, then if I would want to be anyone, it would be a Joe Marler.’Joining James and host Claudia Winkleman in the Scottish Highlands for the second series are Amol Rajan, Bella Ramsey, Jerry Hall, Joanne McNally, Joe Lycett, Julie Hesmondhalgh, King Kenny and Leigh-Anne Pinnock.Michael Sheen, Myha’la, Professor Hannah Fry, Richard E Grant, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Ross Kemp, Sebastian Croft and Sharon Rooney complete the line up. The Celebrity Traitors line-up 2026 Jerry Hall Jerry Hall, 70, rose to fame in the Seventies and became one of the era’s most recognisable fashion icons Richard E Grant Richard E Grant, 69, is celebrated for his roles in everything from the cult classic Withnail & I to modern flicks such as Everybody’s Talking About Jamie James Blunt James Blunt, 52, shot to global fame with his debut album and the hit single You’re Beautiful Ross Kemp Ross Kemp, 62, who recently returned to EastEnders to reprise his role as hardman Grant Mitchell, is said to want to challenge himself Michael Sheen Michael Sheen, 57, is celebrated for his incredible performances across stage and screen, particularly his work in Good Omens and The Queen Rob Beckett Best friend of fellow Traitors star Ranganathan, comedian Rob Beckett, 40, is known for his high energy and booming laugh Sharon Rooney Sharon Rooney, 37, is best known for her breakout role as Rae Earl in the acclaimed series My Mad Fat Diary Joanne McNally Joanne McNally, 43, is known for her brutally honest humour and hilarious takes on dating, chaos and modern life Amol Rajan Journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan, 43, has carved out a successful career across major UK media, including radio and television King Kenny King Kenny, 29, is a content creator known for his prank videos and street-style social experiments Sebastian Croft Sebastian Croft, 24, is best known for his breakout role as Ben Hope in the Netflix series Heartstopper Maya Jama Maya Jama, 32, is quickly becoming one of the UK’s most popular stars and famously fronts Love Island Miranda Hart Miranda Hart, 53, broke through with her hit sitcom Miranda, which became a resounding success and cemented her as a comedy legendRomesh Ranganathan Romesh Ranganathan, 48, has been taking British TV by storm in recent years is known for his deadpan delivery James Acaster Comedian James Acaster, 41, is good friends with Ed Gamble, who hosts The Traitors: Uncloaked. The duo present the hit food podcast Off Menu Bella Ramsey Bella Ramsey, 22, rose to fame as Lyanna Mormont in Game Of Thrones and gained global acclaim for their leading role in The Last Of Us Leigh-Anne Pinnock Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 34, is known as a member of the girl group Little Mix, which found fame on The X Factor in 2011 Joe Lycett From TV stunts to clever public pranks, Joe Lycett, 38, has built a reputation as one of Britain’s most inventive comics Hannah Fry Mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry, 42, is known for turning complex data into engaging content for viewers Julie Hesmondhalgh Julie Hesmondhalgh, 56, is best known for her long-running role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street – the first transgender character in a British soap opera Myha’la Myha’la, 30, is known for her striking portrayal of brutal fintech expert Harper Stern in the HBO drama Industry