Richard E. Grant shrugs off his killer mistake on Celebrity Traitors as he takes to the stage in opening night of his new West End play

Richard E. Grant was busy making his stage return on Thursday night, as millions watched him in what has already been dubbed the TV moment of the year.

As the first episode of Celebrity Traitors aired on the BBC, the actor was treading the boards at London's Wyndham’s Theatre, starring opposite Christine Baranski in a new production of Hay Fever.

It was an evening to remember for the star, 69, as he performed in the opening night of the Noel Coward play, marking his first West End stage performance in over 20 years.

Richard plays narcissist-novelist David opposite The Gilded Age star Christine as his eccentric actress wife, who host a country house weekend in the chaotic comedy of errors.

Pictures from opening night show the actor looking typically dapper in a costume which wouldn't be out of place in the Traitors castle - a red striped robe thrown over a smart suit. 

The reviews for Hay Fever have hailed the play as 'a light and delicious West End confection', praising the 'fine cast.'

It was Richard's other Thursday night performance which had the nation talking though.

The actor was among the 21 stars to enter the Scottish castle for series two of the BBC's flagship show, Celebrity Traitors.

Nominated as one of Claudia Winkleman's Traitors, alongside Love Island host Maya Jama, Richard has already made the biggest slip-up in Celebrity Traitors history.  

As Richard mingled with Faithful Joe Lycett in the lounge area, the comedian jumped straight in with the question: 'What are you?'

'A Traitor,' Richard responded with a huge grin on his face. 

Unsure what to believe, Joe said: 'I think you've just done something that has never happened in the game... bold strategy.'

Fans were left in hysterics with Richard's game plan and suggested on social media that Richard's slip-up was in fact carefully curated to call the comedian's bluff.

They wrote on X: 'Na he’s actually lost his head in the first 5 minutes bless him',

'If Richard double bluff works than fair play', 'half an hour in and i’ve decided richard is already a hall of fame traitors contestant #celebritytraitors #thetraitors',

'Richard being a traitor and then immediately telling everyone he’s a traitor',

Richard's pal Jerry Hall was quick to defend Richard after co-stars began to question if he was one of the Traitors.

'I just don't believe Richard is a Traitor,' she insisted. 'I know Richard, I've known him 30 years, and he's my neighbour. 

'He says and does eccentric things. He is an amazing guy, but he is acting out because he wasn't chosen.'

'That may be the biggest mistake I have ever made in my life', a despondent Richard said while contemplating his game tactics.  

He added: 'I was so thrilled to be picked as a Traitor but I clearly need to diffuse all the heat coming in my direction.'      

Richard started his red letter day with a dawn walk around his Richmond neighbourhood with his baby grandson, gleefully telling his one million Instagram followers that he had 'pocketfuls of happiness'.

The mantra is one Richard has adopted after his beloved late wife Joan Washington asked him to find the joy in every day during his grief. 

Joan, a renowned stage and screen dialect coach, died in September 2021, eight months after she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

She and Richard had been married for 35 years at the time of her death and shared daughter Olivia, 35.

Richard, who has shared his journey with grief on his hugely popular Instagram account, relayed Joan's message to him as he revelled in his delight at being nominated a Traitor during Thursday's episode.

'My wife said to me four days before she died, "Richard, try and find a pocket full of happiness in each day" and I feel like I've got a wheelbarrow full and then some,' he gushed to camera.

Hay Fever runs at Wyndham’s theatre, London, until December 12. Celebrity Traitors continues on Thursday on BBC One.