James Acaster has found himself attracting a surprising wave of romantic attention after his appearance on the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors, with fans embracing a different side of the comedian.
Known for his lanky frame, distinctive blond curls, deadpan delivery and unconventional fashion choices, the 41-year-old has rarely fitted the traditional image of a television heartthrob. Yet his appearance on the hit reality show has sparked a social media frenzy, with admirers sharing videos celebrating his looks, mannerisms and on-screen presence.
The comedian’s unexpected popularity has also revived interest in his romantic history, including his past relationship with actress and comedian Louise Ford, who later began a relationship with Rowan Atkinson, best known for playing Mr Bean.
Social Media Fans Embrace Acaster’s Newfound Appeal
Acaster’s growing fan base has taken to TikTok to share clips of him walking around Ardross Castle, participating in challenges and displaying the dry humour that has helped establish his reputation.
Some of the videos are known as “thirst trap edits”, social media compilations designed to highlight someone’s physical appeal. One such video reportedly attracted nearly 200,000 views.
The response has included comments from viewers who admitted that the comedian had caught their attention in a new way.
“Yeah, he’s fit! Didn’t realise until last night!” one person wrote, while another commented that they were glad they were not alone in their reaction.
Another admirer joked with the phrase “Fifty Shades of James”, referencing the popular erotic novel by EL James.
Some fans have also suggested that Acaster has undergone a style transformation for the programme, appearing more polished than in his familiar stand-up performances.
His Past Relationship With Louise Ford Returns to the Spotlight
The renewed interest in Acaster has brought attention to his relationship with Louise Ford, whom he dated between 2011 and 2013.
Ford later began a relationship with Rowan Atkinson in 2014 after the pair met while working together on a play. Atkinson had previously been married to Sunetra Sastry, with whom he shares two adult children, before their marriage ended.
Atkinson and Ford subsequently welcomed a daughter together.
The circumstances surrounding Acaster’s former relationship have become a talking point among fans, particularly because of the comedian’s own humorous account of discovering that his ex-partner was now with the actor behind Mr Bean.
Acaster Turned the Break-Up Into Stand-Up Material
Acaster addressed the end of his relationship with Ford during his 2018 stand-up tour, Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999.
He explained that he discovered the relationship between Ford and Atkinson through a newspaper article published about a year after his own relationship had ended.
“I found out a year after we split up,” he recalled, describing how he opened a newspaper and saw photographs of the pair walking together alongside a story about their relationship.
Acaster joked that the experience had provided him with material so extraordinary that he initially felt compelled to hold back from using it.
“Until you get left for Mr Bean, you don’t realise how frequently he pops up,” he said.
He continued by describing how difficult it was to escape reminders of the character, including a nearby shop selling masks of Atkinson’s famous comic face.
The story has since become one of the more unusual chapters in Acaster’s personal history, with his ability to turn an awkward experience into comedy adding to his appeal among fans.
Relationship With Rose Matafeo Also Had a Lasting Impact
Following his relationship with Ford, Acaster had a significant relationship with New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo, the creator and star of the BBC romantic comedy Starstruck.
The pair separated in 2017, and Acaster later spoke openly about the emotional difficulties he experienced following the break-up.
In his 2019 book, Perfect Sound Whatever, and in podcast appearances, he discussed the effect the experience had on his mental health.
Acaster revealed that the period marked the first time he had experienced serious suicidal thoughts. While in New York, he found himself thinking about ways to end his life, an experience that frightened him.
After returning to England, he arranged a therapy session, recognising that he needed professional support.
He has since said he is in a much better place, and he later incorporated aspects of his personal experiences into his comedy.
Celebrity Traitors Role Pushes Him Into Unfamiliar Territory
Acaster’s growing public profile has coincided with a demanding role on Celebrity Traitors, where he was unexpectedly selected as one of the show’s Traitors.
Before his recruitment, he told presenter Claudia Winkleman that he would prefer to be a Faithful because he was uncomfortable with lying.
However, Richard E Grant and Love Island presenter Maya Jama selected him for the secretive role during the second episode.
In a tense sequence, Acaster and former Today programme host Amol Rajan were required to plead for their lives in the Traitors’ chapel before being instructed to lie in a coffin and await the outcome.
Rajan was subsequently “murdered”, while Acaster survived and continued working alongside his fellow Traitors.
His challenge now is to deceive the remaining Faithful contestants without attracting too much suspicion.
Reports of Anxiety Raise Questions About Filming Pressure
Although Acaster has not faced significant suspicion from his fellow contestants so far, reports have suggested that the experience of filming the programme has been stressful for him.
According to a source quoted in the report, Acaster became very anxious during filming, prompting a temporary pause during the summer to allow him time to settle.
The source said those involved in production were aware of the pressure he was experiencing and found it difficult to watch him struggle.
Producers have since stressed that contestant welfare is a priority while filming the psychologically demanding reality series.
Acaster had previously acknowledged that taking part in a major television programme could be difficult for him.
Speaking on Romesh Ranganathan’s podcast, he explained that he had turned down television opportunities after deciding that the pressure involved would be too much.
He cited Strictly Come Dancing as an example, saying that he loved watching the show but believed participating could cause him to have a meltdown before the first episode aired.
Comedy Career Continues Alongside Television Success
Away from reality television, Acaster remains an established comedian with regular stand-up performances and a successful podcast career.
He co-hosts Off Menu with fellow comedian Ed Gamble, who also presents Uncloaked, the BBC2 companion programme to The Traitors.
Acaster is estimated to be worth around £4.5 million, although the figure has not been independently confirmed.
His growing visibility on Celebrity Traitors could bring further opportunities across television and entertainment, while his expanding online fan base suggests that his appeal extends beyond audiences familiar with his stand-up work.
An Unlikely Heartthrob With More to Prove on the Show
Acaster’s experience on Celebrity Traitors has placed him at the centre of two very different conversations: his unexpected status as a social media heartthrob and his ability to handle the pressure of playing a secretive role.
His relationship history has added another layer of public interest, particularly his humorous recollections of being left for the actor behind Mr Bean.
Whether Acaster can maintain his composure and avoid exposure as a Traitor remains to be seen. For now, his appearance on the programme has introduced him to a wider audience and prompted fans to look at the comedian in an entirely new light.
