Viewers were issued a warning upon the Traitors‘ return this week after concerns just days ago that the show risked Ofcom complaints.
The BBC show was back on Wednesday night for the fourth episode of the third series. Moments before the episode was broadcast, a continuity announcer warned viewers that it would contain “some strong language”. It comes after the reality TV show sparked concern with swearing before the watershed in an episode that aired earlier in the new series. The BBC however assured at the time that it complied with Ofcom’s code and that “no rules were broken”.
During the second episode, which aired from 8pm to 9pm on BBC One last Thursday, one contestant swore in a scene that was broadcast before the watershed. Livi told her co-stars Francesca and Leanne in a conversation that she was nervous about the next roundtable. She said just over 20 minutes into the episode: “Obviously, I’m so excited for the mission, but again I am just s***ting myself for the table.”
It was reported at the time that the scene risked criticism from the regulator Ofcom as the swear word had been broadcast before the watershed, which begin at 9pm. According to Ofcom, material unsuitable for children should not, in general, be shown before that time or after 5.30am.
It states: “Unsuitable material can include everything from sexual content to violence, graphic or distressing imagery and swearing. For example, the most offensive language must not be broadcast before the watershed on TV or, on radio, when children are particularly likely to be listening.”
As previously reported though, the most offensive language is not thought to include ‘s**t’. A report by Ofcom in 2021 revealed that participants of a survey considered “s**t” to be a ‘moderate’ swear word, as opposed to ‘mild’ or ‘strong’ on the opposite far ends of the spectrum. Discussing its acceptability, it added: “Context should be considered based on what an audience would reasonably expect.”
Given the context of contestant Livi’s choice of swear word before 9pm, it was reported that it was unlikely be an issue for Ofcom. And a BBC spokesperson told us last week: “The content in episode 2 of the Traitors complies with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and no rules were broken.”
The Traitors returned for its third series last week. It has been confirmed by the BBC that the final will be broadcast in just over two weeks time, with the new series scheduled to include twelve episodes – three a week – overall.
The final will air from 8.30pm to 9.40pm on January 24. It will run for around 70 minutes – similar to last series’ finale – which is longer than typical episodes of the show. The final will be broadcast on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
It was previously announced that the upcoming final will be different than in past series. Host Claudia Winkleman revealed during the launch episode that any players who are banished in the last episode will no longer reveal whether they are a Traitor or a Faithful. Revealing their identity as they left had offered a potential clue to the remaining contestants as to how many of each group could still be left in the game.
Claudia told the contestants in the first episode: “Winning the money is gonna require even more smarts than ever this year. Listen carefully. Those who make it to the final will no longer reveal their true identities as they leave, instead, you will need to rely solely on your instincts as to whether any Traitors are left in the game.”
The Traitors airs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights from 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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