Julie Hesmondhalgh has left the second series of Celebrity Traitors after fellow contestants voted her out, making her the third celebrity banished from the castle. The former Coronation Street actor said she had no idea the vote was coming, although it gradually became clear she was in danger. She said she felt it was her time to leave and departed with her head held high.
Hesmondhalgh said she received apologetic messages from other contestants after the episode aired. She described the experience as amazing and said she had loved taking part, having watched every episode of the franchise, including the New Zealand version.
She said she was approached about joining the show while its first series was airing in 2025. Producers visited her dressing room while she was performing in a London play, and she said keeping the casting secret was extremely difficult.
Now out of the competition, Hesmondhalgh said she felt relieved to watch the programme as a viewer again. She described seeing herself on screen as stressful, especially because she knew what was coming, and said she had expected to become an intense hunter of the hidden Traitors. She also said taking part had been a thrill and allowed her to represent the North West and the wider North. She is supporting Sharon Rooney, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Sebastian Croft as the series continues.