While viewers know her as the scheming 'Secret Traitor' from BBC One's hit show The Traitors, Fiona Hughes's real-life role is one of a life-saving counsellor. The 62-year-old Welsh star has been instrumental in helping a vulnerable woman escape a harrowing cycle of domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
From the Castle to the Counselling Room
Away from the dramatic banishments and betrayals of Ardross Castle, Fiona works as a support counsellor for Swansea Council. Her impactful work is highlighted in a powerful case study on the council's website, featuring a woman referred to as 'Alice'.
Alice had endured a violent relationship and was forced into sex work, reaching a point where she felt suicidal. 'Fiona came into my life when I thought nobody could help me,' Alice says. 'I felt so ashamed and just didn't want to go on. I'll always be grateful for the time she spent with me and thank her from the bottom of my heart.'
Fiona supported Alice to seek help from a domestic abuse specialist and encouraged her to return to education. This intervention proved transformative. Alice left her abusive partner, went back to college in 2018, and now has a settled life with her children. The two women remain in touch.
Speaking to The Sun about the outcome, Fiona said, 'The lady is very settled now. She has children and is an amazing woman.' She added a poignant reminder: 'It's not my story to tell, but it's important to remember so many people feel very vulnerable and isolated, but you can change somebody's life by reaching out.'
A Traitor's Game: Fiona's Dramatic Exit
This revelation about Fiona's compassionate day job comes fresh from her shocking elimination from The Traitors. The Swansea native was banished on Friday's episode after an intense confrontation with fellow Traitor, Rachel Duffy.
Fiona, who began the game as the lone 'Secret Traitor', grew suspicious that Rachel was playing for herself. After fellow Traitor Amanda Collier's banishment, Rachel claimed Amanda had confided she was a former Metropolitan Police detective—a claim Fiona doubted.
The tension boiled over when Fiona accused Rachel of being a Traitor in front of the entire group. 'I needed to confront Rachel to be sure in my own mind that she was a team player and not playing singularly,' Fiona explained. She described Rachel as a 'formidable player' and a 'lone wolf'.
Her strategy backfired, leading to her banishment. A tearful Stephen Libby, the remaining Traitor, expressed guilt over voting her out, while a triumphant Rachel stated, 'I won the battle, but I need to win the war.'
Fallout and Future Schemes
The episode's dramatic twist saw Faithfuls Matthew Hyndman, Harriet Tyce, and Rachel win a chance to question the Traitors in a church confession box. Unbeknownst to Matthew and Harriet, Rachel was one of the Traitors answering.
Matthew made a shocking deal, urging the Traitors to murder fellow Faithful Jessie Roux and then recruit him next. 'I'm not a monster; I don't want Jessie to die,' he told cameras. 'But I came here to play the game, and that is what I'm going to do.'
Harriet, meanwhile, grew deeply suspicious of both Fiona and Rachel following their very public clash. The episode also saw the 'mercy killing' of emotional contestant Reece Ward and recorded impressive overnight ratings of 7.35 million viewers.
Fiona's story starkly contrasts the duplicitous character she played on screen, showcasing how a reality TV villain can be a real-life hero. Her work in Swansea continues to change lives, proving that the most important games are played off-screen.
