Jonathan Ross is insisting that his recent comments about his time on The Celebrity Traitors have been somewhat misconstrued.

The talk show host is one of 19 famous faces who was recruited to take part in the first ever star-studded edition of The Traitors UK, which got underway last week.

During the first episode, Jonathan was among three contestants selected to be part of the Traitors group, but during the latest edition of his podcast Reel Talk, he admitted this was somewhat more difficult than he anticipated.

“I know they’re already planning a second celebrity version. I know because I’ve had two celebrity friends of mine call me and say ‘I’ve been approached – is it good to do, is it bad to do?’,” he told his listeners. “So I’m giving them the benefit of my experience, which was that I didn’t enjoy it.”

Jonathan went on to say that the “constant lying” to his fellow contestants was something he found was “really wearing” him down as time went on, making him “increasingly uncomfortable”.

“We were lying all the time, because you’re sharing a car with people in the morning,” he recalled. “Even though we’re not supposed to be talking about the game, obviously some people do, so you’re lying, then.

“You’re guarding this secret that you have, and others know that someone has. You’re on the defence the whole time, and you have to look people in the eye and lie.”

The cast of The Celebrity Traitors pictured with host Claudia Winkleman
The cast of The Celebrity Traitors pictured with host Claudia Winkleman

BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge

After the podcast became more widespread, numerous outlets began writing news stories about Jonathan’s comments, with headlines popping up like “Jonathan Ross HATED doing Traitors so much he’s put famous pals off signing up” in The Sun, and “Jonathan Ross admits he ‘didn’t enjoy’ Celebrity Traitors because he found constantly lying ‘uncomfortable’ and reveals he’s warned off his famous pals from signing up for the show” in the Daily Mail.

Posting on X on Tuesday morning, the Masked Singer judge set the record straight on the “rather misleading reports” about him.

“I am NOT discouraging anyone from taking part in future series of Traitors,” he insisted. “I am pleased I did it – [it was] an extraordinary experience – but I did not enjoy the duplicity as the game progressed.”

He then admitted: “It’s a tougher psychological challenge than I expected is all. But I would never try to talk anyone out of it – just trying to give them a sense of what to expect.”

When one of his followers questioned whether he’d “looked up” the definition of “Traitor” before taking part, Jonathan responded: “Obviously I understood the assignment. But the immersive nature and other factors make you feel it more keenly.”

Other stars currently on the line-up include Clare Balding, Tom Daley, Celia Imrie and Kate Garraway in the “Faithful” camp, while comedian Alan Carr and singer Cat Burns complete the “Traitors” group.

The Celebrity Traitors continues on Wednesday night at 9pm on BBC One.