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Richard E. Grant accidentally reveals he is 'a Traitor' minutes after sharing his late wife Joan's dying advice

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026.

Richard E Grant, who writes to his late wife Joan Washington every night, accidentally blurted out "a Traitor" to fellow contestant Joe Lycett on Thursday's episode of Celebrity Traitors.
Richard E Grant, who writes to his late wife Joan Washington every night, accidentally blurted out "a Traitor" to fellow contestant Joe Lycett on Thursday's episode of Celebrity Traitors.
Richard E. Grant (right) with a fellow contestant in Celebrity Traitors series two; Joan Washington, his late wife, told him four days before her death to find "a pocket full of happiness in each day.
Richard E. Grant (right) with a fellow contestant in Celebrity Traitors series two; Joan Washington, his late wife, told him four days before her death to find "a pocket full of happiness in each day.

Richard E. Grant made the biggest blunder in Celebrity Traitors history on Thursday night, blurting out 'A Traitor' to fellow contestant Joe Lycett just minutes after telling cameras his late wife Joan Washington's dying words had given him 'a wheelbarrow full' of happiness. Grant, 69, had been nominated as one of Claudia Winkleman's Traitors alongside Maya Jama in the BBC show's second series. Joan, a celebrated dialect coach who coached Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway and Ralph Fiennes, died in September 2021 from stage four lung cancer after 35 years of marriage.

Joan told Grant four days before her death to 'find a pocket full of happiness in each day' — he said being picked as a Traitor had given him exactly that.

Lycett told a grinning Grant: 'I think you've just done something that has never happened in the game... bold strategy.'

Grant writes to Joan every night, saying: 'I have no spiritual or religious delusion that I'm ever going to get a reply.'

MoreDaily MailCelebrity Traitors: Richard E. Grant reveals his late wife's messageYahoo News UKWho was Richard E Grant’s wife? Inside Celebrity Traitors star's relationship with Joan Washington - Yahoo News UKThe SunWho are Richard E. Grant's kids Olivia and Tom? Meet the Celebrity Traitor's star's daughter and stepson - The SunWales OnlineCelebrity Traitors star Richard E Grant's tragic loss and claims father tried to shoot him - Wales OnlineELLEHow Richard E. Grant Handled His Grief Over His Wife's Death: 'I Write To Her Every Night' - ELLEHELLO! MagazineInside Richard E. Grant's family life - from heartbreaking loss to unique multi-generational home - HELLO! Magazine
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