Rachel Duffy, the triumphant winner of the BBC reality competition The Traitors, has shared the heartbreaking news that her mother has passed away just days after her victory on the show. The announcement comes after Rachel, a head of communications from Newry in Northern Ireland, emotionally revealed during the series that she intended to spend her prize money on making cherished memories with her mother, who was living with both Parkinson's disease and dementia.
A Heartbreaking Announcement
On Tuesday 27th January 2026, Rachel Duffy posted a poignant message on social media, stating: "We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beautiful wee mummy. We kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves during this difficult time." This sad development follows her recent win on the BBC programme, where she became the first female Traitor to claim victory in the show's history.
Emotional Scenes on The Traitors
During her time on the popular television series, the mother-of-three opened up about her mother's health struggles in moving scenes that resonated with viewers nationwide. Rachel explained to fellow contestants: "Mummy was just 47 when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's, four years older than I am now, and faces dementia, but still amazes me and my family every single day."
She continued with heartfelt determination: "I just want to create memories with her while I'm still lucky enough to have her, and to create memories with my kids, because they just love their nanny." These comments sparked an outpouring of support from audiences, with many sharing their own experiences of caring for family members with similar conditions.
Historic Victory and Prize Split
Rachel Duffy secured her place in television history during the dramatic finale of The Traitors on Friday 23rd January. She reached the conclusion alongside fellow Traitor Stephen Libby, with the pair deciding to split the substantial cash prize of £95,750 equally between them, each receiving £47,875.
Host Claudia Winkleman became emotional during the final moments, declaring: "Two traitors, but totally faithful to each other." This statement perfectly captured the unique alliance that had developed between the two contestants throughout the competition.
Strategic Alliance and Tense Finale
From early in the competition, Rachel and Stephen formed a strategic pact, promising never to vote against each other. They maintained this loyalty throughout the entire series, ultimately winning the game as a cohesive team. However, the final moments were filled with tension and uncertainty.
Rachel later admitted to feeling anxious about Stephen's intentions, telling PA Media: "He wouldn't look me in the eye. I just thought, 'Oh no, I'm in trouble.'" Stephen faced a crucial decision where he could have eliminated his teammate to claim the entire prize fund for himself, but instead chose to vote for faithful contestant Jack, resulting in Jack's banishment from the final.
Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Rachel described the overwhelming relief: "When he turned [the slate] around and it was Jack's name on it, it was a feeling like nothing else."
Raising Awareness and Public Response
Speaking about the public reaction to her discussions of her mother's illnesses on the programme, Rachel expressed gratitude for the supportive messages she received. She noted: "There was a lot of messages on social media about people and their own experiences, saying thank you so much for raising awareness."
The television personality added: "It was the loveliest feeling to know that your story resonated with so many and that so many other people, or carers for their family members. I think if there's anything positive that can come out of this is raising awareness of two very important illnesses that are very tough on the actual person and their family."
Rachel Duffy's journey on The Traitors has been marked by both strategic success and personal vulnerability, creating a powerful narrative that has touched viewers across the country. Her victory and subsequent loss highlight the complex intersection of television entertainment and real-life challenges that contestants often face beyond the screen.
