Celebrity Traitors told to 'toughen up' as James Acaster compares the experience to living in Soviet-controlled Germany - despite huge pay packets and winnings going to charity

The Celebrity Traitors have been told to 'toughen up' after complaints about the production team have emerged during the second series of the show.

James Acaster now compared the experience to 'living in East Germany under Soviet control' and an unnamed star said producers were like 'like human traffickers'.

But speaking on the latest episode of her Celebrity Traitors review show, The Rest Is Entertainment host Marina Hyde encouraged the contestants to 'push it down'.

Weighing in on the talent's complaints about their treatment during the making of the show, she said: 'In the end, you're a grown up and you've got to get through it.'

Her comments came off the back of the latest episode and comedian James' comments about the show in a new interview with The Times.

The funnyman said being on the show was like living in Communist-era Berlin.

He replied: 'I think people who lived under the Stasi might have a thing or two to say about that comparison, but it is intense.

In a dig at production, he added: 'People who watch the show always say, 'It's just a game'. That's good advice — not just to the players but to the production [staff].'

A factor of this was because they were allowed ten minutes on a producer's phone with a chaperone present.

James said: 'A member of the production team is there with you, so you can't have an authentic conversation because you can't tell them anything that's happening.

'At one point my partner said, "Have you caught the sun?" I was saying, "Oh yeah, we were outside for one of the missions". I was told I couldn't even tell her that.'

Debating James's remarks on their podcast, Marina and her co-host Richard Osman had differing opinions about how stars should be treated while filming.

The hosts hinted at whispers on the 'comedy circuit' about how there is 'lot of disquiet about how stressful people found it and what the toll on them was'.

Richard said: 'In an interview with The Times James Acaster, he addresses The Traitors thing and he says people who watch the show say it's only a game and that's good advice. Not just to contestants, but to the production team as well. So we know this is going to become part of the conversation around the game.'

He continued: 'It is a celebrity show, but it is made by a reality show production team, Studio Lambert are the best in the business. There are ways and means of making television.

'This is the distinction I'd make, when James says, it's just a game and the production team would do well to remember that, the thing is it's not just a game - it's a television show about a game. I am certain that they'd of overstepped that the talent wishes they hadn't because their job is incredibly difficult. You need to keep things as tight as you possibly can.

'You cannot have people conversing with each other off camera, because then you're spoiling it for the viewers. You can't make the stop, you have to have everything to tell the story.

'You can't call your family, you've been told that when you sign up for the show.'

Admitting he can see James' argument, Richard added: 'This is where I'm on the side of the talent, I do think absolutely you can't talk to each other. But I do think there's a world where you can loosen up some of those rules. When you talk to people, if it was me, as a producer it's my baby and I want it to be a big hit.'

However, Marina insisted because of the pay packet the celebrities receive and the disadvantaged people they are helping with their winnings, they need to toughen up. 

She said: 'You've got to toughen up! You're being paid £40,000 for ten days work or something, and you're doing it for disadvantaged people. So try and remember your chosen charity and just push it down. 

'I honestly think you know what it is, if you go into the game, there's a chance you might be made a traitor, I appreciate things are different once they are happening to you, but in the end, you're a grown up and you've got to get through it. I really think that people.'

Later in the episode, Richard said that he believes 'lines will have been crossed on both sides', in the name of making great television and stars who have pushed back against the rules that have been set out. 

He said: 'I'm sure it's something for a third series, lots more will come out, but there's a reason 15million watch, it's a brilliant game and brilliantly produced and edited. If you have people at the top of their game, they are sometimes going to push you too far in what they want because they are brilliant. It's what they do.

'If you're someone like James, who is very smart, sometimes they are going to not see the point of that and sometimes you're going to be right. It's a juggernaut that's really hard to make. You have to give everything of yourself. And between those two things there's going to be tension. As someone with a production background but also someone thinking how would I feel in that castle, I absolutely see both sides.

'I think we're going to hear more going forward, I think they'll be production changes for series 3.'

A spokesperson for Studio Lambert, said: 'We want everyone to have a good experience, and the door is always open to discussing feedback with all players directly. 

'The Traitors is an immersive game and for the short period of filming it's important that external contact is limited to protect the integrity of the game so there can be no risk of outside influence. This is made clear to all participants ahead of them deciding to take part in the show.'

Earlier this week, an unnamed star accused the show's producers of being 'like human traffickers' in a blistering row after the celebrity was denied contact with their family.

The Sun has claimed that the contestant, who has not been named, lashed out after being told they couldn't speak to friends or family between scenes.

Producers and co-stars were reportedly left baffled, as contestants were previously told about the strict rules prior to signing up to the show.  

A source said: 'The celeb couldn't understand why they couldn't just call home – despite this being clearly explained to them at the start of the process. 

'They kicked off and in a rant, compared the team on the show to being like human traffickers.' 

Show insiders told the publication that phone rules are in place to 'protect the integrity of the game'.

Celebrity Traitors has also been hit by a race row after actress Myha'la claimed there was 'unconscious racial and cultural bias exists' in the format of the BBC show.

Yet, the Daily Mail's Katie Hind revealed why her claims couldn't be further from the truth. Read her report here. 

The Industry star, 30, made her claims while also strenuously defending her co-stars for voting her out – saying: 'I sealed my own fate.'

In scenes which aired last week, suspicions were raised after Faithful Myha'la defended Traitor Richard E Grant, but then switched allegiance at the last second by voting for the actor to be banished, as well as giving him a suspicious wink before he left.

The American actress, who was the second player to be banished, posted on Instagram about her experience on the BBC show on Friday and, in a comment underneath, entrepreneur Chantel Sachanna claimed The Traitors is a 'racist show'.

She wrote: 'Unfortunately you were banished because you are BLACK. This is a consistent thread in this racist show.'

Posting a lengthy response, Myha'la said she would have agreed with Sachanna's comments, if not for the fact 'that early in the game there is VERY little to grasp on to, and I gave them… a lot'.

Myha'la added: 'I do agree that unconscious racial and cultural bias exists in this game where my authenticity or honesty or the ways in which I choose to express myself look suspicious to people who are unfamiliar with people like me.'

She continued: 'I had this fear coming into the game, as I am a BIG fan and also clocked right away how prevalent this is in this game.

'And I came in knowing I'd be the only American (apart from Honorary British National Treasure Jerry Hall).'

She added that she had to defend her co-stars, writing: 'I'm not saying it's right, I'm not saying racism doesn't exist, but I do have to defend my dear friends on this show who in no way consciously put bias on me because of my race.'

Myha'la added: 'That's not a fair or complete assessment of what really happened in my case.

'And! I do think games like this should allow more conversation around unconscious bias and how, when under pressure, people (society) gravitate towards things they know and understand or subsequently push away from things they don't. It's all love, and I REALLY genuinely appreciate your support.' 

The Daily Mail has contacted the BBC for comment. 

Myha'la, who is best known for her lead role in the BBC drama Industry, fought back tears during the second tense roundtable, as she attempted to defend her name, but it wasn't enough.

'I have loved getting to know you all; thank you for loving me,' she said to her fellow celebrities.

'I will say to the Faithfuls I don't think the Traitors are as dumb or as silly or as confused as you think they are. I think they are a lot smarter. But I have been a Faithful.'

She added in her exit interview: 'I immediately got close to Richard, just because I feel like we're twin flames. Really, I shouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him, which is ultimately, I think, my demise.'

Fans took to X, to share their thoughts on her exit, penning: 'Myha'la deserved better.'

'My beautiful princess myha'la banished from traitors ITS NOT FAIR.'

'A star too bright for this season. Oh Myha'la this cast didn't deserve you, I miss you so much already.'

'Myha'la literally got targeted for being empathetic.'

Her co-stars also added to the comments, with Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock posting a string of heart emojis as she wrote: 'Don't get me startedddd love you girl!' while Richard shared his love with kiss emojis. 

The 'unconcious bias' discussion has also been fuelled by comparisons with the non-celebrity series of The Traitors, where three of the first Faithfuls eliminated in series four earlier this year were all minority ethnic players. 

On Reddit, viewers flocked to a thread titled 'Racial bias?' to lodge their thoughts on the show. 

TV presenter Scarlette Douglas, who appeared on reality show I'm A Celebrity in 2022 before being voted out second, also commented on the 'unconscious bias'.

'I do believe there is [bias]' she told Good Morning Britain at the time. 'There is a pattern that we cannot ignore. I'm not here to say the whole country is racist but we do have to talk about the fact is that there is an unconscious bias there.

The singer Cat Burns, who was a finalist in the first series of Celebrity Traitors, weighed in too, posting after contestant Ross was banished. 'Ross gone now as well????? now i’m MAD.'

Cat reached the finale of the first series of the Celebrity version alongside two other non-white celebrities - historian David Osuluga and actor Nick Mohammad.

Research conducted by The Guardian had previously shown evidence of unconscious bias in reality TV, with their report finding that non-white dancers on Strictly Come Dancing were 71 per cent more likely to get voted into the bottom two.

In a piece for The Independent, journalist Micha Frazer-Carroll wrote: 'I don't think that the show or any of its players are consciously discriminating against people of colour or disabled people. 

'Rather, The Traitors is a game of social judgements, and so our socialisation comes into gameplay. Players are asked to assess abstract traits like trustworthiness and untrustworthiness – at times, purely based on vibes.

'We're socialised amid a load of ideas about people of colour being suspect, criminal and dangerous. So, of course, internalised biases will inform group consensus on who is "shifty" or "just a bit off".'

Meanwhile insiders have claimed that when the cameras stopped rolling on the current series, contestants were still 'at one another's throats' as the tension and 'utter paranoia' between them spilt over into real life.

Traitors insiders suggest that wrong decisions at the round table when two Faithfuls were sent home sparked the paranoid behaviour.