Joanne McNally and Miranda Hart became embroiled in a heated exchange on The Celebrity Traitors after a theory about creaking floorboards led to accusations during the latest episode of the BBC show.
The disagreement began during a challenge in which the Faithful contestants stood blindfolded in a room while the Traitors, Maya Jama and King Kenny, were tasked with quietly sabotaging the game. Fellow Traitor James Acaster declined to participate because he feared being caught, leaving his teammates frustrated.
While blindfolded, Miranda heard floorboards creaking nearby and suspected that Joanne was moving around the room. Her suspicion was influenced by her existing doubts about the comedian.
After the challenge, Miranda shared what she believed was physical evidence with James Blunt. However, she later reconsidered her theory after Joanne learned about the accusation and challenged her over it.
Miranda Declares Her ‘Bouncing Floor Theory’ Debunked
At the round table, Miranda told the contestants that she no longer believed the sounds proved Joanne had been moving around.
“On discussion since, I’d like to declare the bouncing floor theory debunked. So apologies if that sounds accusatory in any way,” she said.
Michael Sheen asked why she had changed her mind.
“Umm, it could’ve been on the other side of the room, and a floorboard could have been… It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the people next to me,” Miranda explained.
Joanne interrupted, arguing that the accusation had already affected how she viewed the actress.
“Well, obviously you’ve said it now. So Miranda said that she thought I was moving around the floor. And I was just like, ‘That’s not true’,” Joanne said.
She added that the suggestion had made her suspicious of Miranda because she felt the accusation was unfounded.
“Because I had such a heavy table last night, and then you’re, I just said that just makes me not trust you. It’s the truth,” she said.
Miranda acknowledged Joanne’s reaction, replying: “I get that you would think that, yeah.”
Joanne Questions Why Miranda Suspected Her
Joanne continued to challenge Miranda over why she had singled her out during the blindfolded challenge.
“Of all the people, you would say I was the one moving round the floor seems a bit mad when I literally didn’t move,” she said.
Miranda responded that her decision to announce the theory had been intended to clarify that she no longer believed it.
“Hence me saying I’d debunked the theory,” Miranda said.
However, Joanne argued that bringing up the accusation again, even to dismiss it, had kept the issue alive.
“You’ve just brought in a debunked theory and brought it to the floor again,” she told Miranda.
“I’m saying debunked,” Miranda replied.
The exchange prompted discussion among viewers, with several taking to X to criticise Joanne’s approach to the conversation.
Viewers Accuse Joanne of Being Aggressive Towards Miranda
Following the confrontation, some viewers accused Joanne of being unnecessarily confrontational towards Miranda, while others compared their interaction to schoolyard arguments.
One viewer wrote: “Why was joanne lowkey bullying miranda she got so scared towards the end it was odd seeing her like that.”
Another commented: “Do not like the way Joanne spoke to Miranda wt the round table.. it’s a game, it doesn’t need to get nasty ESPECIALLY to Miranda.”
A third posted: “Why is joanne being so passive aggressive omg miranda get behind me.”
Other viewers pointed out that contestants regularly make incorrect accusations during the game, arguing that Joanne had also suspected other players without sufficient evidence.
“Joanne sayings its madness if Miranda brings up The moving floorboard at the round table, like she didn’t suspect Leigh Anne for using lipgloss and gets it wrong every round table,” one post read.
Another viewer wrote: “Why is Joanne being so aggressive towards Miranda. Just because she accused her. That’s the point of the game omg.”
One commenter compared the dynamic between the contestants to their school years, writing: “The way Miranda and Sharon were the ‘nerdy’ girls and Joanne was the ‘mean’ girl was like they had reverted back to school days!!”
Jerry Hall Banished After Late Shift in Votes
Elsewhere in the episode, Jerry Hall was banished after fellow contestants turned against her during the final stages of the round-table vote.
However, some viewers questioned whether the contestants genuinely believed Hall was a Traitor, suggesting instead that they had voted her out because they considered her an ineffective Faithful.
One viewer wrote: “Yeah they definitely voted Jerry Hall not because they think she’s a traitor and more so because she’s a bad faithful #CelebrityTraitors.”
Another highlighted Michael Sheen’s comments about keeping the more effective Faithful contestants in the game.
“Michael saying they need to keep the good faithfuls in so everyone would vote Jerry,” the viewer wrote.
A further comment suggested that removing a contestant who was struggling to help the group could be a practical decision when the identity of the Traitors remained unclear.
“It’s smart to get rid of a useless faithful if you have zero clue who a traitor,” the viewer posted.
Celebrity Traitors Continues on BBC One
The latest episode featured a cast including Joanne McNally, Miranda Hart, Jerry Hall, James Blunt, Michael Sheen, Sharon Rooney, Maya Jama, King Kenny and James Acaster.
Other contestants in the 2026 line-up include Richard E. Grant, Ross Kemp, Rob Beckett, Amol Rajan, Sebastian Croft, Romesh Ranganathan, Bella Ramsey, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Joe Lycett, Hannah Fry, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Myha’la.
The series continues on Friday night on BBC One at 8pm.
