A body language expert has conducted a detailed analysis of the six main suspects to be the Secret Traitor on the hit BBC show The Traitors, pinpointing the player she believes is most likely hiding in plain sight amongst the faithfuls.
The Six Suspects Under Scrutiny
As the nation awaits the big reveal in tonight's episode, airing at 8pm on BBC One, speculation has reached fever pitch. Bookmakers have listed Fiona Hughes, Amanda Collier, Jessie Stride, Sam Little, Harriet Tyce, and Ellie Buckley as the prime candidates. Currently, Fiona Hughes is the betting favourite to be unmasked.
However, fan theories have particularly swirled around two contestants: Ellie Buckley, a psychologist, and Harriet Tyce, a crime writer and former barrister. Suspicion fell on Ellie after she was overheard in the interview room saying, "People will question whether you are sitting and watching as a kind of Secret Traitor." With faithfuls unaware of this series' major plot twist, many viewers saw this as a telling slip-up.
Further fuel was added to the fire by rumours of a pre-existing connection between Ellie and fellow contestant Ross Garshong, supported by an old photograph and deleted LinkedIn interactions. For Harriet, eagle-eyed fans spotted her portrait in the background of The Traitors: Uncloaked alongside the three known traitors, leading many to believe it was a deliberate clue.
Expert Analysis: Decoding the Deception
Partnering with Mecca Bingo, body language expert Dr Beth Dawson has delivered her verdict on each of the six suspects, assessing their non-verbal cues for signs of deception or honesty.
Fiona Hughes: Controlled Composure
Dr Dawson noted Fiona's notably controlled and composed demeanour, with steady posture and minimal fidgeting. "This low level of emotional leakage can be difficult to read," she said, explaining that while effective liars regulate reactions, her calm could also reflect natural confidence. She showed no strong signs of cognitive load, making her behaviour ambiguous. Verdict: No.
Amanda Collier: Strategic Warmth
Amanda consistently displayed warm, open body language and relaxed eye contact. While traitors can use warmth strategically, Dr Dawson observed little outward tension. However, she cautioned that Amanda's background as a retired police detective could mean she has mastered controlling suspicious behaviour. Verdict: No.
Jessie Stride: Nervous Transparency
Jessie exhibited nervous energy and visible emotional reactions, which Dr Dawson interpreted as emotional transparency. "This level of leakage is hard to sustain for someone hiding deception," she stated, aligning Jessie's behaviour more with a stressed faithful. Verdict: No.
Harriet Tyce: Defensive Posturing
Harriet's body language became defensive under scrutiny, with inward postures and a tendency to over-explain. Dr Dawson said these were more consistent with a threat response than deception, noting her composed, strategic demeanour at the roundtable likely stemmed from her legal experience. Verdict: No.
Sam Little: Confident Assurance
Sam presented with confident, relaxed body language and low fear responses, which can be a subtle traitor cue. Dr Dawson found his behaviour "one of the more plausibly traitor-coded" but noted his loud and notably wrong assertions in the opening episode raised doubts. Verdict: No.
Ellie Buckley: Expressive Yet Elusive
Ellie was highly expressive, showing rapid emotional shifts. Crucially, Dr Dawson highlighted that Ellie has largely flown under the radar, never being put on the spot at the roundtable. "It's clear she's going under the radar, which could well be a production move," she suggested.
While her reactions seemed spontaneous and low in deceptive indicators, the expert pointed to the rumoured secret connection with Ross Garshong: "If she's hiding that, then she clearly has what it takes to be the Secret Traitor." Verdict: Yes.
The Final Reveal Awaits
With Dr Beth Dawson's analysis pointing towards Ellie Buckley as the most likely Secret Traitor, viewers will finally get their answer when the iconic red cloak is unveiled. The expert's breakdown suggests that the most successful deceiver may be the one who manages to blend in by appearing emotionally open, all while strategically hiding crucial information. The truth will be revealed when The Traitors continues tonight on BBC One.
