Joanne McNally banished from Celebrity Traitors over Richard E Grant

'That's why I'm still single'

The comedian, 43, was among the latest contestants to leave the BBC One competition, with her banishment taking place in Thursday's episode ahead of Friday night's much-anticipated final.

Speaking to RTÉ Entertainment after her exit, McNally admitted that her trust in Grant had been misplaced from the very beginning. 

The actor had reassured her that he was playing as a Faithful, but later confessed to being a Traitor. 

His admission ultimately contributed to his own downfall, although McNally had already believed his story.

She did not attempt to hide her embarrassment when reflecting on the incident.

“The Richard thing was very embarrassing for me, it was a very early boo boo on my part,” she said.

McNally even suggested that the experience had exposed a rather familiar weakness in her personal life.

“What I learned about myself is that I believe men's lies. That was confronting.”

Explaining just how thoroughly she had been taken in, she added: “I was absolutely convinced he was a faithful, but you know why? Because he told me he was, and apparently that's all it takes for me.

“I just blindly accept it as truth, and that is why I am still single.”

Joanne McNally backs Maya Jama to win as a Traitor

Trusting the wrong person was not the only challenge McNally faced during the competition. 

She also described the experience as far more psychologically intense than she had anticipated, with suspicion and accusations quickly becoming part of everyday life inside the castle.

“Within 24 hours you're living in a palace of paranoia accusing your own mother of killing people, and she's not even in the show,” she joked.

Now watching the competition from the sidelines, McNally has two different outcomes in mind for the remaining players. 

She wants Maya Jama to emerge victorious as a Traitor, while hoping Michael Sheen and James Blunt take home the prize as Faithfuls.

Her departure comes just as the BBC series reaches its climax, with the remaining contestants preparing to face the final on Friday night.