Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian 'Bash' Croft say keeping Celebrity Traitors result a secret left them paranoid to be seen together in public

On Friday night viewers watched as Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian 'Bash' Croft were crowned the winners of the Celebrity Traitors, splitting the prize of £83,000 during the nail-biting final.

It was watched by a staggering 11.2million viewers, making it the most-watched show of 2026 so far.

And now the pair have revealed that keeping the result a secret for months ‘killed’ them and left them so paranoid about being seen out together in public.

Romesh, 48, hosted another mini reunion on his BBC Radio 2 programme, along with his fellow champion Bash, 24, and their co-stars King Kenny and Leigh-Anne Pinnock joining him in the studio.

With relief in his voice, Bash said he woke up this morning ‘with a light sense that I don’t need to keep this secret anymore, it was killing me’.

He added: ‘We met for dinner in central, central London [a few weeks ago] having dinner and we’re not exactly a likely duo and the whole restaurant was like "we like you on Traitors and hope you win”.’

The pair were applauded by fans for beating Traitors Maya, 32, and Kenny, 29, who went under the radar until Thursday’s episode, when their fellow Traitor James Acaster revealed his identity in a moment of stress.

Romesh has said his notifications on social media are filled with comments from viewers telling him to be ‘grateful’ to Bash for ‘saving’ him.

He told his co-star how he ‘just trusted you so much’ and ‘did not waiver from that belief’.

Little Mix star Leigh-Anne, 35, who took part in the show whilst three months pregnant, said she ‘felt like Super Woman’, adding of the experience: ‘Emotionally as well, I think that was probably the hardest thing out of all of it and I’m really glad I kept my cool.’

Ross Kemp, who had left viewers amused by his hyper vigilance, had suspected the singer was a traitor from early on.

Having watched the show back, she remarked how the former EastEnders hardman ‘was really gunning for me’.

Host Claudia Winkleman, 54, also recorded a message for the contestants, telling them: ‘Hello Romesh, hello everybody else it is Claud here I just wanted to say massive congratulations you were all phenomenal. Well done for winning Romesh and to Bash. Sally Traffic… I love you, you are my true icon and I don’t understand why we aren’t living together.’

James, 41, and Maya were both absent from the reunion episode, which aired directly after the final.

They failed to address his absence this morning, which had left viewers concerned, following Thursday’s episode where he admitted he was a traitor after the pressure became too much for him.

During the final, Romesh and Bash shared an embrace as host Claudia Winkleman congratulated them on their big win.

‘I trusted Bash and I was right to. I cannot believe it! I just really hope my mum is proud,' the comedian said.

In his exit interview, he added: I think my biggest highlight is making a friend in Bash - relying on the fact that I thought he was a friend in that end game and that paying off, that is something I feel really good about.

Bash broke down in tears and said: ‘That was just incredible. This might actually be the best day of my life.' 

Adding what the highlight of his experience was, the actor shared: 'It was the moment that Rom said the word Faithful, and the hug that we had was just wild, it was crazy.'

The duo then joined the host and celebrity finalists outside the picturesque Ardross Castle, where they raised a glass around the fire pit.

Fans branded the episode 'excellent television'. 'They deserved to win from the start. ICONIC,' one wrote on X. 'Romesh turned out to be very good at this game.'

'Yessss Romesh and Sebastian!! Aw really happy for them, played an excellent loyal game to the faithful and deserved it in the end!'

'Romesh and Bash both giving their winnings to charities that support refugees is the perfect cap to this series! made me feel genuinely proud to be British.'

'I’ve always said if any faithful had to win I’d love it to be Bash, Romesh and Leigh-Anne so 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.'

Just days before his big moment on the show, Romesh branded himself a ‘national treasure’ and told an audience of around 140 guests that he ‘knew who the winner was’.

‘I’m sure you’re excited that I’m here,’ he told the crowd, adding: ‘It’s a big deal for the people in the front row who can practically smell me. National treasure right in front of you.

‘First of all, let’s get it out of the way: who wants to know what happens in The Traitors?’