ROSS Kemp’s paranoia reached new heights on last night’s show.

He was secretly selected by the Traitors as the contestant who would escape being buried alive in the gravedigging challenge.

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Ross Kemp has been declared “meme-worthy” by fans as his paranoia reached new heights Credit: BBC
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The star was chosen by the Traitors to remain above ground – while the rest of the cast were buried in shallow graves Credit: BBC

The former EastEnders hardman and documentary maker felt this was a deliberate act to put more attention on him.

He was already feeling the heat after having actress Bella Ramsey place a hat on his head and being touched on the arm by Little Mix singer Leigh Anne Pinnock.

They were both acts, he feared, which had seen him “murdered in plain sight” just as Alan Carr had done to Paloma Faith on last year’s series.

In last night’s episode he admitted he’d probably escaped getting bumped off and he was unnnecessarily anxious.

But then his face fell when he was picked out in the big challenge last night, even though it meant he couldn’t be murdered.

He said: “I feel relieved, but I think everybody’s going to think that I’m a naughty person now.

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Ross was aware it was a plot by the traitors to make him look more guilty Credit: BBC
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Maya Jama, Richard E Grant and new recruit James Acaster chose Ross deliberately to increase suspicion and paranoia in the group Credit: BBC

“Why pick me? I think it’s just to pile on suspicion that would see me out of the game.”

But once again he proved himself a hard working leader in the challenge and the overwhelming respect for him seemed to eclipse any suspicion.

As the rest of his cast mates were buried in coffins, Ross made the decision to save them rather than earn money for the prize pot.

The decision means he successfully saved everyone apart from Jerry Hall and Professor Hannah Fry, who ducked out of the challenge when Jerry panicked over the uncomfortable position.

This means they are now the only two faithfuls at risk of being murdered by the traitors that evening.

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Fans have cheered Ross on for his efforts in challenges – though can’t help but laugh at his paranoid fears Credit: BBC

But it was Ross’s panic that had everyone talking, with viewers revelling in his overthinking as he tries to weed out the traitors.

“Ross Kemp is an absolute MACHINE, a slightly skittish, anxious machine who constantly thinks he’s being murdered. But a machine nonetheless. I adore him,” one fan wrote on X.

“Ross Kemp is just gonna be meme after meme this series 😂 #CelebrityTraitors #TheTraitorsUK ,” noted another.

“Ross hangs out with cartels and somehow #CelebrityTraitors has killed him off” joked a third.

The Traitors airs on BBC One.