Michael Sheen says being an actor is a disadvantage on Celebrity Traitors
Ahead of the new series' launch on 1 October, actor Michael Sheen said fellow contestants may distrust him because he is an actor. He is one of 21 celebrities in the BBC show.
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The story, neutrally told
Actor Michael Sheen said he thinks being an actor will be a disadvantage on the second series of The Celebrity Traitors. BBC NewsN “Michael Sheen has said he thinks being an actor will be a disadvantage while he is on Celebrity Traitors.” Read at BBC News ↗ The IndependentLC “Sheen said that he felt he had a “disadvantage” in the competition by being an actor.” Read at The Independent ↗ He said people immediately think 'he pretends for a living', though he argued that good acting means convincing yourself that what you are doing is true. BBC NewsN “If you are consciously aware that you're pretending or you're saying things that aren't true, then it's bad acting. It's just bad.” Read at BBC News ↗ The IndependentLC “people immediately go, ’Oh well, he pretends for a living.’” Read at The Independent ↗ Sheen added that he does not know what people think of him beyond his being an actor, so he cannot say whether his persona will help. BBC NewsN “I don't really know what people think about me. So, I don't know if it'll help or not.” Read at BBC News ↗
The series has 21 contestants, and it launches on BBC One and iPlayer on Thursday 1 October. BBC NewsN “The Celebrity Traitors returns to BBC One and iPlayer on 1 October.” Read at BBC News ↗ The IndependentLC “The Celebrity Traitors begins on Thursday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.” Read at The Independent ↗ Other contestants include Miranda Hart, James Blunt, Joe Lycett and Romesh Ranganathan, and the Independent also lists Jerry Hall, Amol Rajan and Bella Ramsey. BBC NewsN “Those taking part alongside Sheen include comedians Joe Lycett and Romesh Ranganathan, actors Miranda Hart and Richard E. Grant, and singer James Blunt.” Read at BBC News ↗ The IndependentLC “alongside the likes of comedian Miranda Hart, presenter Amol Rajan, singer James Blunt and model Jerry Hall” Read at The Independent ↗ Fellow actor Richard E Grant made a similar point, saying others assume actors are natural-born liars. The IndependentLC ““I think it'll make people more suspicious because they assume that you're a natural-born liar,” he said.” Read at The Independent ↗
Sheen said he wanted to take part because he is a big fan of the show and knew the Scottish filming area. BBC NewsN “The Hollywood actor from Port Talbot said he wanted to participate because he is a "big fan" of the show” Read at BBC News ↗ The first celebrity series, won by Alan Carr, had a finale peak of 15.4 million viewers and an average of 14.9 million, the biggest TV audience of 2025 according to the BBC. BBC NewsN “its nail-biting finale hitting a peak of 15.4 million viewers, and Alan Carr emerging victorious.” Read at BBC News ↗ Players win £100,000 for a charity of their choice. BBC NewsN “try and win £100,000 for a charity of their choice.” Read at BBC News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Preview of the series that uses Sheen's remark as a hook, then widens to other actors and comedians and their comments about suspicion and rivalry.
- Emphasis
- The cast list, other actors' views (Grant), and comedians' remarks (McNally, Ranganathan).
- Leaves out or plays down
- Leaves out the ratings history, Sheen's stated reasons for joining and his Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor role.
- Charged language
- “thespian”“murdered”
- For example
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“contestant Michael Sheen reckons it’s his acting ability that set him back in the competition.” — The Independent
““more than willing to throw each other under the bus”” — The Independent
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- A profile of Sheen built around his quotes, with his reasons for joining and background on his career and the show's record ratings.
- Emphasis
- Sheen's motivation as a fan, his career including playing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and first-series viewing figures.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Says less about other contestants' comments and the wider cast, such as other actors.
- Charged language
- “nail-biting”
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Sheen said being an actor is a disadvantage because people think he pretends for a living
- 21 celebrities compete in the series
- The series starts Thursday 1 October on BBC One and iPlayer
- Richard E Grant, Miranda Hart, James Blunt, Joe Lycett and Romesh Ranganathan are taking part
Michael Sheen person
Sheen says being an actor makes others suspicious, though he argues good acting is not conscious lying. He is unsure how his wider persona is seen.
“Just for me being an actor, I think that's a disadvantage because people are already suspicious of that.” — BBC News
Celebrity Traitors other
The BBC show is presented as hugely popular, with a second celebrity series of 10 hour-long episodes starting 1 October.
“The second celebrity version of the show will consist of 10 hour-long episodes.” — BBC News
Left1 article
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Michael Sheen reveals ‘disadvantage’ he had filming Celebrity Traitors
Neutral Light preview that treats Sheen's comment as one of several contestant talking points about suspicion and rivalry.
Centre1 article
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Michael Sheen says being an actor will be a disadvantage on Celebrity Traitors
Neutral Straightforward interview-based news piece with background on Sheen and the show's ratings.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 29 Sep 17:58 First BBC NewsN Michael Sheen says being an actor will be a disadvantage on Celebrity Traitors
- 30 Sep 11:33 +17h 34m The IndependentLC Michael Sheen reveals ‘disadvantage’ he had filming Celebrity Traitors
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.