The speculation reached a peak during a conversation as King Kenny—whose real name is Kenny Oghenovo Ojuederie—was travelling to a mission alongside fellow contestants Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian “Bash” Croft. During the journey, the 29-year-old YouTube star, who was still outwardly posing as a Faithful, raised the prospect of Maya deceiving him, telling his carmates: “If Maya is a Traitor, I will never look at her in the same way.”
Romesh immediately quipped back, “Well, first of all, I don’t believe that for a second.” The sharp remark sent all three men into a fit of laughter, highlighting the growing realization among the cast that viewers may not be alone in noticing the pair’s deepening bond within the castle walls.
Kenny did little to dispel the mounting speculation later in the episode when the contestants were instructed to work in pairs during the high-stakes "field of screams" mission. After Maya specifically chose him to be her partner, he warmly replied, “My lovely darling.”
These revealing exchanges have naturally fuelled intense speculation among fans online, who have taken to social media platforms to curate and share edits highlighting moments between the pair. These viral clips frequently capture lingering glances, playful touches, and their noticeably frequent embraces inside the historic confines of the castle.
Their most overtly affectionate display to date came when Maya and comedian James Acaster secretly invited Kenny to join them as a Traitor in the turret. After readily accepting the clandestine offer, Kenny reached out to hold Maya’s arm before pulling her tightly into a close, lingering embrace. By contrast, his greeting to James upon joining the dark alliance was notably more restrained and formal.
Since that pivotal moment, Maya and Kenny have forged a formidable partnership in the turret, all while masterfully maintaining the elaborate pretence that they are merely fellow Faithfuls during the daylight hours. Their coordinated deception reached new heights during a recent mission when the wider group of celebrities voted Maya, Kenny, and James as the three contestants they trusted the most.
The trusted trio were given the exclusive and private privilege of deciding which of them would receive a dagger carrying a lethal double vote. They ultimately handed this immense advantage to Kenny, leaving him with the sole power to decide whether Irish comedian Joanne McNally or Scottish actress Sharon Rooney would ultimately be banished following a deeply split Round Table vote.
Neither Maya nor Kenny has ever suggested or implied that their relationship extends beyond a strong friendship and a strategic game alliance. However, the on-screen speculation surrounding their closeness arrives at a particularly interesting time, following revelations that Maya entered the castle newly single.
Sources close to the star previously confirmed that she entered the production following the end of an 18-month relationship with Manchester City footballer Ruben Dias. The couple reportedly separated amicably shortly before filming for Celebrity Traitors began, with insiders noting that taking part in the immersive reality show ultimately "put a smile back on Maya’s face" during a challenging transitional period.
Reflecting on the timing of the project, one source shared that filming Celebrity Traitors came at the absolute perfect time for the television presenter. While her split from Ruben was entirely amicable, there was naturally still a significant amount of love and history between them, making the separation a tough ordeal. At the time, the former couple shared a home together, meaning that being away on set allowed Maya to completely escape her usual routine. Throwing herself headfirst into the high-pressure environment of the game provided the ultimate distraction.
Prior to her relationship with the professional footballer, Maya famously dated rapper Stormzy for four years before they initially separated in 2019. The high-profile couple later rekindled their romance in 2023, only to announce the following year that they had decided to part ways once again.
Meanwhile, King Kenny has historically kept relatively tight-lipped about his personal dating history and romantic life outside of his digital career. However, he has proven rather less discreet when it comes to his collaborative partnership with Maya inside the castle. In a newly released single titled Don’t Let Me Down, the content creator sings the telling lyric, “Murdering in plain sight, it’s me and you they’re calling.” Whether those particular words were deliberately aimed at one Traitor in particular, the artist has left his listeners entirely to decide.
