When Celia Imrie broke wind on Wednesday’s Celebrity Traitors and set the internet alight, I had no idea she’d somehow go one better in tonight’s episode.
The Thursday Murder Club star has quickly become one of the standout personalities of the reality show, and not just for being a formidable player at the roundtable.
Before the BBC series began, I’d never have guessed that on Wednesday night, the 73-year-old’s flatulence would be the talk of the internet and hailed as the ‘TV moment of the year’ – but that just goes to show how unpredictable the cutthroat competition can be.
Tonight, during episode four, she’s managed to become even more of an undisputed national treasure, after randomly blurting out a remark about ‘putting a pussy in a well’ and wailing gutturally like a banshee.
I’ve admired Celia as a performer for as long as I can remember. From Bridget Jones’s Diary to St Trinian’s, Calendar Girls, Wimbledon and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, I’ve grown up watching her play characters that make me chuckle.
But Celebrity Traitors has proven to me that nothing can compare to the real deal. Especially after watching what Thursday night’s episode had in store.
After it was revealed that Irish actress Ruth Codd had been devastatingly murdered, the remaining celebrities embarked on their next task to raise money for their charity of choice.
They were split into two teams, with one group heading to the forest to find mysterious banshees, listen to their wails, and repeat them down a well.
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The other team, waiting in the garden, had to submerge their heads under water to listen to the wails, and then find the corresponding locket that emits the same noise.
As the forest team approached their well, comedian Lucy Beaumont asked: ‘Well you know what you do in a well, don’t you?’
Without missing a beat, Celia responded deadpan: ‘Put the pussy in.’
Cue the uncontrollable laughter from the rest of the celebrities in their team, as Alan Carr let out a side-splitting cackle and rugby legend Joe Marler collapsed to his knees.
‘Exactly what we’re all thinking Celia,’ comedian Joe Wilkinson quipped cheekily. ‘I think I speak for everyone when I agree with you there.’
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one watching who also joined in the laughter from my sofa.
Celia’s reason for her suddenly blurted-out remark was a lot more innocent than it might have appeared, as she was referring to the nursery rhyme Ding Dong Bell, which goes: ‘Ding dong bell, Pussy’s in the well.’
Sorry Ms Imrie – we’re all just far too immature for your graceful and well-spoken manners.
But that wasn’t even the actress’ best moment of the episode. Minutes later, when her team had to imitate the wail of a banshee, she let out potentially the most guttural shriek ever committed to screen.
You can tell someone’s a classically trained thespian, when they can use their diaphragm that impressively.
‘Celia let out a noise that I’ve never heard in my life,’ Lucy remarked to the camera, as her comrade continued to wail like a hysterical cat.
‘The skill of projection is very important. It’s a lot to do with breathing, a lot to do with enunciation I guess,’ the Bridget Jones star explained.
‘Make it stop!’ Joe Marler declared, crouching on the ground, after doubling over with laughter.
I didn’t think I’d be saying this… but Celia might have just toppled Alan off his pedestal as the standout provider of hilarity in the series.
No mean feat when there are four other famous comedians among the cast.
Nonetheless, just like viewers shouldn’t underestimate Alan as a Traitor simply because he brings the laughs, Celia similarly shouldn’t be regarded as being in the castle to provide comic relief.
If Jonathan Ross’ downfall is on the cards at a future roundtable, Celia could be one of the key players who results in him being found out as a Traitor, once and for all.
During tonight’s roundtable, Jonathan somehow managed (yet again) to survive by the skin of his teeth.
Before the vote, rugby star Joe confronted him with a piercing stare, warning: ‘I’d like to tell you to your face that I am concerned that you are a Traitor.’
Sports presenter Clare Balding also came gunning for Jonathan, over the fact that he betrayed Niko and Ruth in their alliance, while Sir Stephen Fry noted that the talkshow host is a superfan of the series, and so knows how to play the game well.
And yet, Jonathan only received one vote, and Clare was sent packing.
Following the roundtable, Celia admitted to Jonathan that she had suspected him, but then he’d managed to convince her of his innocence.
Nonetheless, Celia then told the camera away from Wossy’s ears that she needs to ‘ignore his deliciousness’ and stick to her guns the next time that she suspects him.
Explosive farts, innuendo-filled nursery rhymes, banshee wails and strategic gameplay – Celia, a 73-year-old CBE, is shaping up to become a Celebrity Traitors legend.
Who saw that coming?
Celebrity Traitors returns on Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One and is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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