Fans of the reality series The Traitors are in for a surprise as the mysterious ‘Secret Traitor’ is set to be unveiled in the upcoming episode. This unexpected twist, designed to heighten suspense, will occur much sooner than the audience had anticipated, following the dramatic banishment of barrister Hugo.
The recent episode saw the elimination of Hugo, the first Traitor to be voted out, which many believed would shift the dynamics of the game in favor of the Faithful. Yet, remaining Traitors Stephen, 32, and Rachel, 42, were assigned a critical mission to regain control over the game from the unseen Traitor who has been operating independently since the show’s launch.
In a nerve-wracking challenge, Stephen and Rachel were instructed to shortlist nine potential victims for elimination using a family tree painting displayed in the castle. With the clock ticking, they dipped their fingers into blood-red ink, leaving fingerprints beside each name they chose to target. If they succeeded, one of these nine would face elimination the following day, paving the way for the Secret Traitor to finally join them.
The task was fraught with tension. Stephen admitted to feeling “in a blind panic” as other contestants wandered near the painting. “My heart is just pounding,” he expressed, highlighting the pressure of the moment. Rachel took the lead in marking the names while Stephen kept watch, cleverly including his own name on the shortlist to divert suspicion.
The targeted individuals included Sam, Jade, Amanda, Reece, Maz, James, Jack, and Faraaz. Against the odds, they completed the task without being detected, much to the relief of the duo.
Host Claudia Winkleman, 53, later confirmed that Stephen and Rachel successfully selected their murder shortlist “in plain sight,” allowing them to regain some authority within the game. However, unity among the Traitors remains tenuous. As the episode concluded, Rachel expressed reservations about the unknown contestant, saying, “Whoever walks through that door, we don’t need them.”
Stephen’s strategy to eliminate Hugo at the roundtable showcased his ruthless approach to the game. He admitted that he did not initially plan to betray a fellow Traitor, but felt compelled to protect his position. “This is crazy,” he remarked. “I hadn’t expected to be throwing a fellow Traitor’s name around this early in the game.”
Rachel echoed Stephen’s sentiments, expressing satisfaction over Hugo’s departure, claiming he had “dug his own grave.” The two then formed a pact to avoid turning against each other, with aspirations of reaching the final together and splitting the £120,000 prize—a feat no pair of Traitors has accomplished before.
Viewers can catch the next episode of The Traitors on January 7, 2026, at 20:00 GMT on BBC One and iPlayer, where the identity of the Secret Traitor will finally be revealed.
