Stephen Libby, the triumphant winner of the BBC's hit reality series The Traitors, has not only secured a substantial cash prize but also potentially unlocked a pathway to a flourishing television career through his notable celebrity connections.
A Strategic Victory and Shared Success
In a gripping finale that aired last night, Stephen Libby, aged 32 and originally from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides, was crowned a winner alongside fellow traitor Rachel Duffy, a 42-year-old communications director from County Down, Northern Ireland. The duo formed a strategic alliance early in the series, vowing never to betray each other at the Round Table, a pact they honoured to the end. This loyalty enabled them to outmanoeuvre all the faithful contestants, making them the first pair of traitors to jointly win the gameshow. They split the prize fund of £95,750, each taking home £47,875.
Celebrity Friends in High Places
Stephen, who now works as a cyber security consultant in London, has been active on social media throughout the series, sharing memes and reaction videos. His online presence caught the attention of sharp-eyed TikTok users, who spotted a famous face among his friends in one video: the acclaimed comedian and actress Lou Sanders.
In the viral clip, Lou appears utterly stunned, her hand covering her mouth in disbelief as she discovers her friend's secret role as a Traitor. Sanders is a well-established figure in British comedy, having won the eighth series of Taskmaster in 2019, featured in Amazon Prime's Last One Laughing, and made regular appearances on popular panel shows like Would I Lie to You? and 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
Online speculation quickly arose, with some suggesting Sanders might be the landlord for Stephen and his partner, actor Daniel Quirke. However, Daniel promptly clarified the situation, stating, "Can confirm she is not our landlord, just a friend of ours." Through Daniel, Stephen also appears to be connected to other actors, such as Lydia West, known for her roles in It's A Sin and Big Mood.
Island Pride and Community Support
Back on the Isle of Lewis, Stephen's victory has sparked celebrations among his fellow islanders. He recently returned to the island's capital, Stornoway, ahead of the final episode, visiting the Blue Lobster cafe, which displays artwork by his father, Donald. The cafe shared a video of a cloaked Stephen winking at the camera while enjoying a coffee, posting online that they are "so extremely proud of this island lad for representing the Isle of Lewis with such impeccable style & so very graciously."
Jayne Macritchie, owner of the Blue Lobster, described Stephen's family as "ecstatic" about his win and noted that the entire island community was riveted by the final episode. She said, "I was completely glued, I've never watched it before. We were all glued." Having known Stephen from his time on Lewis, Macritchie remarked that his genuine and honest nature might have made the deceptive aspects of the show challenging for him. "He's just such a lovely, happy chappy. He's such a genuine person," she said, adding, "I'm pretty sure he would have found it quite difficult."
She expressed confidence in Stephen's loyalty to his pact with Rachel, noting, "I think as an islander, keeping a promise to someone is quite important. I feel the Celts are all similar in their ways and their loyalties."
Future Prospects and Industry Connections
With his victory on The Traitors and his connections to established figures in the entertainment industry like Lou Sanders, Stephen Libby is well-positioned to leverage his newfound fame. His background in cyber security, combined with his demonstrated strategic acumen and charismatic personality, could open doors to opportunities in television presenting, commentary, or even acting roles. The support from his island community and his network of celebrity friends suggests a promising future beyond the gameshow, potentially skyrocketing his career in the competitive world of British television.
