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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

Moment secret traitor finally 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

Ardross Castle may not be available for getaways, but these stronghold hotels are the perfect place to hole up
Lydia Spencer-Elliott8 January 2026 15:30

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’

Former star Amanda Lovett reveals which contestant’s playing a ‘fantastic game‘ and sheds light on how producers put contestants on edge at ‘difficult’ roundtable
Lydia Spencer-Elliott8 January 2026 15:10

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

As the beloved, fringe-fringed presenter kicks off a new series of ‘The Traitors’ and prepares for a new prime-time chat show, Helen Coffey charts her unstoppable rise and the obstacles she must now navigate to secure full national treasure status
Lydia Spencer-Elliott8 January 2026 15:00

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

Viewers picked up on a comment by civil servant Maz about a previous job, which would potentially have brought him into contact with another contestant
Lydia Spencer-Elliott8 January 2026 14:30

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...

(BBC)
Lydia Spencer-Elliott8 January 2026 14:00

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?...

(BBC)
Lydia Spencer-Elliott8 January 2026 13:30

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

Ardross Castle is available to hire for corporate and private events
Jacob Stolworthy8 January 2026 12:30

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

Who are the players in the game of trust and treachery?
Jacob Stolworthy8 January 2026 12:00

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

Yet again, minority ethnic players are being booted off in the early stages of ‘The Traitors’. Micha Frazer-Carroll looks at why this is becoming a bleakly predictable pattern
Jacob Stolworthy8 January 2026 11:30

More evidence the family tree has a deeper meaning

It’s being predicted that more connections will surface as the show continues. One eagle-eyed viewer noticed that after the family tree was first revealed, the camera cut to this book:

Jacob Stolworthy8 January 2026 11:00

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