The Traitors 2026 live: Three Faithfuls face ‘murder’ after secret Traitor reveal and shock banishment
Traitors Rachel and Stephen met hidden overlord as surprise connection between two contestants was revealed
The Traitors has returned with a bang – and the surprises are coming in thick and fast following the unmasking of the Secret Traitor.
Last night’s episode of the much-loved game show saw Traitors Rachel and Stephen left stunned after discovering that the contestant who has been hiding in plain sight as their secret overlord is none other than Fiona.
Host Claudia Winkleman then announced, in a shake-up to the format, that a contestant would be banished in a roundtable immediately after breakfast, as opposed to dinner.
After a close call with Reece, Ross was the unlucky Faithful sent home, and shortly after his elimination, it was revealed that he is in a relationship with fellow contestant Ellie, who promised to avenge his banishment.
Episode four ended with three Faithfuls up for murder – Reece, Maz and Sam – with the Traitors set to kill the unlucky contestant face-to-face.
The Traitors continues tonight (8 January) at 8pm on BBC One.
Fancy heading to the Traitors castle yourself?
Sadly, Ardross Castle isn’t available for getaways but these regal hotels offer a Traitors-esque experience — complete with turret rooms and four-poster beds:
Seven castles in the UK for a Traitors-style getaway
Traitors icon backs shock contestant for victory
The Traitors star Amanda Lovett has given her verdict on this year’s series, revealing her unexpected pick for victory...Stephen.
Considering how clumsily he’s been playing the game in recent episodes this come as somewhat of a shock.
Read the reason for Amanda’s rationale here:

Traitors icon backs shock contestant for victory: ‘Don’t underestimate them’
Why Claudia Winkleman is at the riskiest point in her career
Claudia might have us all eating out of the palm of her knitted glove-clad hand right now, but The Independent’s Helen Coffey thinks The Traitors presenter is at the most precarious point of her professional life. Here’s why...

Why Claudia Winkleman is at the riskiest point of her career
Has another secret connection been revealed?
The Traitors fans have come up with a new theory regarding contestants Maz and Amanda.
Maz, formerly referenced to as a “civil servant” revealed he used to have a job in the police...just like former detective Amanda. Hmmm.
Read the full story below:

The Traitors viewers think another contestant just revealed a surprise connection
Who's at risk of being murdered tonight?
Sam, Rhys and Maz are currently at risk of being murdered by the Traitors as they’re sat in the woods in cages waiting to find out if they’ve been killed. Bleak.
Stephen isn’t up for murder as he’s a Traitor but he has dealt himself a dicey hand as he can’t confer with Rachel and Fiona and will have a suspicious survival.
My gut tells me Sam is on the chopping block...

Tensions are brewing between Rachel and Fiona
Things appear a little taut between Traitor Rachel and former Secret Traitor Fiona. The former has already accused the latter of “stirring the pot” and predicted she’s going to “ruffle some feathers”.
“She’s so unpredictable and I’m watching her,” Rachel told the cameras. “I think she is very dangerous for my game.”
It’s hinting towards some more Traitor on Traitor violence. But why do I feel like Fiona is going to have the last laugh?...

Where is The Traitors filmed?
Everything to know about the castle where the BBC show is made.

Inside the Traitors castle: A wedding venue once owned by an opium trader
Meet this year's Traitors contestants
There are quite a lot of contestants – 17 remaining, to be exact – and some people are yet to receive much screen time. So, with the show returning this evening, what better time is there to brush up on who everyone else?

Meet the Traitors 2026 contestants, from a former detective to a crime writer
The Traitors's troubling cliché
Yet again, minority ethnic players are being booted off in the early stages of the show.
Micha Frazer-Carroll looks at why this is becoming a bleakly predictable pattern:

Even reality TV as brilliant as The Traitors can’t escape this troubling cliche
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