Ricky Gervais Turned Down 'Celebrity Traitors' Appearance, Citing 'Big Dog' Theory

According to a recent report, popular comedian Ricky Gervais declined an invitation to appear on the BBC's hit spin-off series 'Celebrity Traitors'. The show, which features a star-studded lineup of famous faces, saw millions of viewers tune in to its finale last week.

In a conversation with fellow celebrity Jonathan Ross, Gervais revealed that he was approached to be part of the show but ultimately decided against it. The 64-year-old comedian explained that he was concerned he would be voted out early due to the 'Big Dog' theory, which was developed by contestants Joe Marler and Joe Wilkinson during the series.

The 'Big Dog' theory suggested that the most famous contestants, such as Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross, would be targeted by the Faithfuls and eliminated early on. This prediction proved to be accurate, as Fry was voted out by his own team before Ross was eventually caught as a Traitor.

Despite Gervais' decision to sit out the first season, the show has been renewed for a second outing, set to air in 2026. Host Claudia Winkleman will return to guide a new group of celebrity contestants through the game of trust and treachery, which saw a record-breaking 14.8 million viewers tune in for the debut episode.