Stephen Fry gives five-word verdict on Celeb Traitors after emotional appearance

Daily Mirror

5 hours ago

Stephen Fry is one of the stars of the new BBC series of Celebrity Traitors and he reveals what a unique experience it was
Stephen Fry says appearing on Celebrity Traitors was 'emotionally violent like a Chinese foot massage'.
A total of 19 presenters, actors, singers, comedians and sportsmen will attempt to be good traitors and faithfuls in the celebrity version of the hit BBC show, which will air this autumn. And having now finished filming, Fry explained: 'It was a bit like a Chinese foot massage. You know it is absolutely agony but you sort of want to do it again. It is emotionally violent but you kind of love it.'
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He added: 'Obviously, I can't say a word about what is in this recently recorded celebrity version I suppose. I am certainly not telling you if I am a traitor or a faithful. I am one or the other.
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'I was with a fascinating group of people like Jonathan Ross, Tom Daley, Clare Balding and Paloma Faith. They were lovely, an extraordinary bunch. We all got on terribly, well until the game started.
"There is something about the structure of that game. I mean, that's what I agreed to do it. I'm not trying to make a grand or anything.
'I have said no to any number of Strictlys and Get Me Out of Heres as it is just not my kind of thing. But this, I watched the first and second series and it is such a clever game.
'It's so extraordinary what it does to the psychology of the individual. And I just thought it would be really interesting to play it. And what an opportunity to do so. And that's what I found.'
Others taking part include Alan Carr, Charlotte Church and England rugby union player Joe Marler who will bring sporting strategies to the Traitors castle in Scotland.
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Host Claudia Winkleman previously said: "We're incredibly lucky these brilliant people have said yes. I'd love to say we'll take it easy on them and they'll just wander round the castle and eat toast for a couple of weeks but that would be a lie.
Fry, speaking at a live podcast recording, also said he thinks his former friend JK Rowling has been 'radicalised' over her views on the trans community, saying she is now a "lost cause'.
He told the audience at a recording of The Show People podcast in Clapham, London: 'She used to be active (in my life.) I used to see her occasionally when I was in Edinburgh and we would have dinner together. The last time was six or seven years ago.
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'I know she is deaf to foreign treaties. She has been radicalised I fear and it maybe she has been radicalised by Terfs but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her. It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her I am afraid.
I am not saying that she should not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking.
Personally, she seems to be a lost cause for us. I am sorry because I always liked her company. I found her charming, funny and interesting and then this thing happened and it completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now. Strange.'
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He added: 'When it comes to the transphobia issue it is right to remind people that trans people are here and that they are hurting and that they are being abominantly treated.
"The recent way the culture has gone against them means there is a great deal of bullying, violence and suicide and genuine pain and agony in the trans community.'
Fry - who has previously remained neutral over Rowling - narrated several Harry Potter audio books including Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.