Joe Lycett remains a Faithful after Celebrity Traitors bid

Birmingham comedian Joe Lycett has adopted a rather unusual strategy on The Celebrity Traitors as he openly campaigns to join the enemy.

The comedian has made little secret of the fact he desperately wants to become a Traitor, despite currently playing the game as a Faithful.

His desire became particularly obvious as the Traitors considered their latest recruitment, with Digital Spy reporting that Joe Lycett admitted he was 'on his knees' to be recruited, and then openly told others how keen he was before heading to bed.

However, his wish was not granted.

Following Hannah Fry's banishment, Maya Jama and James Acaster were given the opportunity to recruit another player.

Joe Lycett, Joanne McNally and King Kenny were reportedly among those considered, before King Kenny was chosen.

It means Joe Lycett remains a Faithful despite his very public enthusiasm for switching sides.

His strange approach has now caught the attention of viewers, with The Traitors HQ account on X suggesting his behaviour was an example of how the atmosphere of the series had changed following Richard E Grant's extraordinary early exit.

The account said: "Maybe 'falls short' is a bit harsh.

I just think Richard's Traitor reveal bombshell took the seriousness out of the game - Joe Lycett begging to be recruited so openly is an example of that.

"Also having reluctant Traitors (James & Hannah) doesn't really work."

In an earlier post supplied to Birmingham Now, The Traitors HQ described the series as "great," but argued that its Traitors had so far been "quite chill, mellow characters" and that there was not yet an "obvious star" comparable with previous series.

Joe Lycett was, of course, at the heart of the moment which set this year's series off on its chaotic path.

After being selected as an original Traitor alongside Maya Jama, actor Richard E Grant accidentally revealed his secret role after Joe Lycett asked him which side he was on.

A shocked Joe Lycett attempted to give the actor an opportunity to backtrack, before telling him: "I think you've done something that's never happened in the game."

Richard E Grant subsequently admitted it could have been the "biggest mistake" he had ever made and was eventually banished.

He has since described the admission as a "completely catastrophically idiotic thing to do."

The confession left Joe Lycett involved in one of the talking points of the series almost immediately, but now it is his own unconventional approach attracting attention.

While most Faithfuls would ordinarily have every reason to convince their fellow contestants of their loyalty, the Birmingham comedian has instead been remarkably open about wanting the chance to put on the Traitors' cloak.

For now, though, Joe Lycett will have to continue playing as a Faithful after King Kenny won the coveted recruitment instead.