The BBC’s Celebrity Traitors has captivated audiences with its blend of psychological gameplay, deception, and drama. Set in a Scottish castle, the show pits celebrities against one another in a high-stakes game of trust and betrayal, where contestants must identify the hidden “traitors” among them before they’re eliminated.
But beyond the twists and turns of the game itself is the psychology behind it that audiences find so fascinating — how people behave under pressure, how alliances form, and how social dynamics shape decision-making. In this celebrity edition of the show, one theme has emerged that is strikingly different to its non-celebrity counterpart, the issue of hierarchy.
Since the show aired, several younger or lesser-known celebrity contestants have spoken candidly about feeling unable to influence the game as much as they would have liked — not because of poor strategy, but because of a culture of deference to more ‘established’ personalities. Actor Ruth Codd, eliminated early in the series, offered one of the most insightful reflections:
“There was probably an unspoken hierarchy in there, and that placed certain people like myself at a disadvantage, because I haven’t been in the industry very long.”
Ruth also described how she found being a ‘strong woman who speaks her mind’ isolating — especially when others are reluctant to challenge more senior or famous figures. And Ruth’s comments seem to have struck a chord, with many taking to social media in support.
It’s a dynamic that might feel familiar — not just in reality TV, but in real life too. For those of us in Christian communities, it reminds us of important questions about the role or power in the context of safeguarding that we need to pay attention to.
The Safeguarding Parallel
Of course, Celebrity Traitors is just a game. But the dynamics it reveals — especially around power — are sadly not confined to the castle only. In many areas of life, these dynamics exist and can sometimes have devastating consequences.
In safeguarding work, especially within Christian contexts, we often encounter similar patterns:
- Deference to Authority: People may hesitate to challenge leaders, elders, or those with spiritual or social clout — even when something feels wrong.
- Fear of Speaking Up: People can feel isolated or ‘labelled’ when they raise concerns, especially if they’re younger, newer, or perceived as “less important.”
- Unspoken Rules: Just as the show has strict off-camera rules and social codes (as revealed by the celebrity contestants), churches and ministries can develop cultures where silence is preferred over truth.
And these aren’t just theoretical risks; they’ve been documented in painful detail. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) 2022 which published its final report three years ago this month, found that deference to authority was a recurring theme across many institutions — including churches.
The inquiry revealed how respect for religious leaders, fear of reputational damage, and rigid hierarchies often led to inaction, even when abuse was suspected or known. In some cases, victims were disbelieved or dismissed, while perpetrators were shielded by institutional loyalty.
The recommendations within the inquiry’s final report called for a cultural shift — one where safeguarding is prioritised over status, and where speaking up is not just permitted, but encouraged and supported.
So while Celebrity Traitors may be just a game, safeguarding is not. Abuse affects real people, with real consequences.
The Danger of Deference
In churches, charities, and faith-based organisations we often hold deep respect for leaders, elders, and those with long-standing reputations. That respect can be healthy — rooted in honour and gratitude. But when it becomes deference, it can also have a darker side, one which says, “I won’t question them — they know best.”
When we elevate individuals to untouchable status, we risk creating environments where concerns go unspoken, where abuse can be hidden, and where vulnerable people are left unprotected. Just like in the Traitors castle, people may sense something is wrong — but feel unable to challenge those in power.
The Charisma Trap
Linked to this is another dynamic at play in Celebrity Traitors, in how Comedian and Broadcaster Alan Carr, despite being a Traitor, has managed to avoid suspicion for much of the game. His behaviour as a player is often bold, even highly-suspicious — yet many contestants have explained it away with phrases like “That’s just Alan.” His charisma, and humour have seemed to shield him from scrutiny.
This mirrors another pattern we often see in safeguarding. In many cases, individuals with dynamic or engaging personalities — often leaders — have behaved in ways that would normally raise red flags. But instead of being challenged, their actions are excused or explained away: “That’s just how they are.” Charisma becomes a cloak, and inappropriate behaviour is normalised.
When safeguarding is compromised by personality, reputation, or charm, the cost is often borne by the most vulnerable people and allowed to continue long after it is suspected or known about
What Can We Learn?
Whether you are one of the 11.7million people who have been avidly tuning in each week or not, from the castle to our churches the lesson of Celebrity Traitors is for us all: we must be vigilant about how power and deference operates in our spaces.
We must seek to:
- Challenge cultures of deference that silence the vulnerable.
- Empower people to speak up, regardless of status or role.
- Hold leaders accountable, with humility and grace.
- Create safeguarding cultures rooted in justice, not just compliance.
In many ways reality shows such as the Traitors mirror society — showing us how easily we can fall into patterns of deference, silence, and group think. But it’s also a call to action.
Safeguarding starts with courage — the courage to see, to speak, and to stand up for what’s right. Let’s build communities where no one is too powerful to be questioned, and no one is too insignificant to be heard and believed.