James Acaster nervously sweats it out at the gym as his Celebrity Traitors co-stars rush to defend his bombshell round table reveal and praise him as 'a remarkable soul'

James Acaster distracted himself from being the unwitting star of what has become one of the most talked-about TV moments of the year with a trip to the gym on Thursday.Hours before his bombshell reveal in the penultimate episode of Celebrity Traitors aired, the 41-year-old comedian was spotted working out.Wearing a t-shirt advertising his comedian pal Paul Williams' album along with a pair of large headphones, Acaster looked pensive as he picked up a drink and walked home, stopping to check his phone.On Thursday evening millions tuned in to watch the 'reluctant Traitor' out himself at the round table.The comedian was reportedly so distraught after revealing that he was a Traitor that filming was halted and the welfare team was called in. James Acaster distracted himself from being the unwitting star of what has become one of the most talked-about TV moments of the year with a trip to the gym on Thursday Hours before his bombshell reveal in the penultimate episode of Celebrity Traitors aired, the comedian was spotted working outThe comedian came under fire from actor Michael Sheen, a Faithful, who questioned how he knew about specific details related to the 'murder' of Ross Kemp.Acaster then admitted to being a Traitor before he had even been voted off at the Round Table, with one insider telling the Daily Mail that filming was paused because he became 'anxious' and had to gather himself before making his speech.Whilst some fans have called out the comedian for 'runining' the game just one episode before the finale, Acaster's co-stars and comedy circuit pals have rushed to defend him.Speaking during the episode after Acaster was banished, Romesh Ranganathan shared his pride for his friend of ten years. 'The amazing thing about James is that he has done something that I don't think I've seen anybody do,' fellow comic Romesh told the camera.'He played a truly unique game, which was to accept his role, but to do it in as Faithful, helping a way as he possibly could, and that is kind of typical of the sort of thing that James A does, and I respect it a lot.' Amol Rajan, who was murdered in episode two after Traitors Maya Jama and Richard E Grant chose to recruit Acaster over him, commented on a clip posted by the BBC, calling the comedian 'a remarkable soul'.Strictly host and Acaster's close friend for years Josh Widdicombe added to the post with a series of heart emojis. On Thursday evening millions tuned into watch the reluctant Traitor out himself at the round table The comedian was reportedly so distraught after revealing that he was a Traitor that filming was halted and the welfare team was called inBroadcaster Dan Walker defended the gameplay, posting on X: ' I don't know why people are angry about tonight's Traitors.''Great bit of telly and I wonder whether the faithfuls thought about voting for someone else and keeping that person in so they knew the identity of one traitor who they could then remove them in the final.'TV producer and writer Richard Osman meanwhile pointed out that Acaster carefully chose his moment to reveal all so as not to upset the game completely. 'James Acaster throughout this whole process has been looking for an exit door where he doesn't blow up the whole show, where he doesn't just quit on the whole thing,' Osman explained on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast.'You know like at a party where suddenly there is a gap between you and the door and you think 'I could just go now and nobody is going to see me''.'I think he just took the opportunity... I think he didn't want to go into that end game. He didn't want to go into that bit where you really have to look people in the eye, face to face and say 'yes it was me'. I think he thought 'if I go here and now at least Maya and Kenny have a chance.'''I think he's brilliant and he does bend the conventions of everything he does and he did it here and I get it. As gameplay it's a hand grenade for sure... it's interesting as a character study, I would absolutely defend his right to do it.'Viewers of Thursday night's episode watched as Michael Sheen, 57, turned on Acaster and Maya Jama over Ross Kemp's 'murder in plain sight', saying: 'If you are Traitors, you've done it brilliantly.'Seeing that the actor had rumbled him, Acaster replied: 'I understand how you've put it all together. I can't really argue that it sounds feasible, and that sounds like it could have happened. I can promise you that I didn't spray him.'In a shock admission, the comedian then turned to the group and said: 'I just want to explain my situation. I was made a Traitor without wanting to be. Whilst some fans have called out the star for 'runining' the game just one episode before the finale, Acaster's co-stars and comedian pals have rushed to defend him Speaking during the episode after Acaster was banished, Romesh Ranganathan shared his pride for his friend of ten years Broadcaster Dan Walker defended the gameplay, posting on X: ' I don't know why people are angry about tonight's Traitors' Amol Rajan, who was murdered in episode two after Traitors Maya Jama and Richard E. Grant chose to recruit Acaster over the him, called the comedian 'a remarkable soul''I've had a unique experience on this that no one has had before, where I wanted to be a Faithful; that's all I wanted to be. I couldn't just go, 'Guys, it's me, vote for me'. But that's all I can do, really.'The insider explained that filming was paused to allow Acaster to calm down before talking to the group.They said: 'The pressure got to him, and it was clear he was finding it difficult. Everyone agreed filming should be stopped before things got too heated.'Everyone was aware of the pressure getting to James throughout the series; it was difficult to watch him struggling.'Acaster received all of the votes, and before his exit told his fellow celebrities: 'When I came into this experience, I told Claudia that all I wanted to be was a Faithful and all I wanted to do was go round this castle and help the Faithfuls as much as possible, catching Traitors. I'm really proud to say that's what I've been able to do under the circumstances.'I am, reluctantly, a Traitor,' he added, admitting a 'weight has been lifted off his shoulders'. Acaster's Celeb Traitors co-stars were spotted arriving at the finale photocall at the BBC on Friday morning. Pictured; Leanne Pinnock Finalist James Blunt looked relaxed as he arrived for promo duties Sebastian 'Bash' Croft flashed a big smile hours before the anticipated final epsiode airs Fans dubbed Acaster's admission the most 'unprecedented twist in TV history' as they were left on the edge of their seats.Reacting to the scene, users on X wrote: 'Nah James A just gave up on the game completely what am I watching,''JAMES JUST OUTING HIMSELF AS A TRAITOR AT THE ROUND TABLE,' 'easily the most unprecedented twist in traitors history','Our entire living room when James Acaster said he was a traitor before the vote took place #CelebrityTraitors', Ms Jama appeared defeated, telling viewers: 'Tonight was the hardest night of the whole experience.'No words, no thoughts. I knew James didn't want to be a Traitor after we chose him. There was not one piece of me that could jump up when he said he was a Traitor. I've played a good acting game so far, but that part I just couldn't pretend.' In his exit interview, the comedian said the plan to reveal himself was what carried him through the experience.'The idea of doing that got me through the whole experience,' he said. 'You feel as a Traitor sometimes, when you see people have real-life reactions that are bigger than the game, you feel bad.''I would have to remind myself they don't have a game without you, literally; if no one's doing this stuff, they can't play, and they all want to play.'So you are doing an important job here, so they all have something to do, and when they catch you, they'll be really happy and they'll like it, and it will feel good to just tell them and see that reaction.'Acaster insisted he went into the roundtable feeling safe. 'I went in thinking, 'I've got no heat on me whatsoever.' It was a surprise, but I was glad that they caught me,' he added.Tonight's Celebrity Traitors final will see Ms Jama, King Kenny, Romesh Ranganathan, James Blunt, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Sebastian Croft compete to win the prize pot – which currently stands at £64,500 – for their chosen charity.