Maya Jama has pledged her would-be Celebrity Traitors winnings to Action for Children even though she was banished before the final.
The presenter, 30, confirmed the donation on social media on Friday, calling the children’s charity an “amazing cause” despite failing to reach the firepit finale. Jama had played as a Traitor from the opening episode and survived until near the end of the BBC series, only to be voted out at the roundtable when Faithfuls finally questioned why certain players had escaped scrutiny.
The final episode saw remaining Traitor King Kenny also expelled, leaving Faithfuls Romesh Ranganathan, 47, and Sebastian ‘Bash’ Croft, 21, to split the £83,000 prize pot equally for their own causes. Ranganathan’s half went to the Refugee Council, an organization he described as deeply personal.
“I am playing for the Refugee Council, helping displaced people who need help, and of course it’s very close to my heart,” he said. “So I’m very, very grateful for this.”
Croft directed his £41,500 share to Choose Love, where he had previously volunteered.
“It’s an organisation that I used to volunteer at,” he explained. “The money will be going to refugees and displaced people, but predominantly queer refugees and displaced people, and they are just the best organisation.”
Jama’s decision to honor her original charity commitment without any actual prize money drew immediate praise from viewers online. Fans called her “absolutely incredible” for ensuring Action for Children still received support, while others labeled her an “absolute queen” and hailed the move as a “superb act of kindness.”
The Bristol-born presenter had selected Action for Children before filming began, one of several celebrities who entered with predetermined charitable partnerships. The organization works with vulnerable children facing poverty, abuse, and the foster care system.
The second celebrity edition of the hit psychological competition proved eventful from its earliest moments. Host Claudia Winkleman welcomed a cast that included Richard E Grant, who directly admitted his Traitor status minutes after being selected by fellow players, and James Blunt, whose late-game strategic miscalculation became one of the series’ most memorable downfalls. Blunt voted to continue the game when doing so obviously endangered his own position, a move that quickly sealed his fate.
Jama’s run as a Traitor had been notably successful until the final stretch, with her ability to deflect suspicion carrying her through multiple banishment votes. The group only turned on her when they began questioning why particular players had somehow avoided any heat throughout the competition.
The latest series concluded its run on the BBC with the finale airing this past week.