Fans of the hit BBC reality show The Traitors have accused producers of attempting to rig the game in favour of the Faithful contestants. The claims erupted on social media following a high-pressure challenge during Friday night's episode, which saw the Traitors once again evade detection.
The Controversial Box Challenge
Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, 54, the latest mission plunged the remaining contestants into a forest filled with large wooden boxes. Each player was instructed to climb inside one. Claudia explained the complex task: the group had to answer questions about what they believed the Traitors thought of them, with the goal of matching the Traitors' own answers. Every correct match added £250 to the prize fund.
However, a major twist was in store. The Traitors had not yet given their answers. After each question, the hidden Traitors would secretly emerge from their boxes, confer, submit a collective answer, and then climb back in unseen before the Faithfuls revealed their guesses.
Viewer Backlash and Claims of Producer Meddling
Despite the inherent risk of the Traitors being spotted while conspiring, they completed the mission without raising suspicion. This outcome led many viewers to flock to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their belief that the producers are deliberately engineering challenges to trip up the Traitors and assist the struggling Faithfuls.
One frustrated fan posted: 'Producers bored as he** knowing these faithfuls are a bunch of idiots they’re trying to make the traitors mess up.' Another quipped: 'Claudia really said: "You guys kinda suck so we’re gonna make it really easy for you".' Others questioned the integrity of the challenge itself, asking what stopped players from discreetly peeking out of their boxes.
Emotional Roundtable and a Secret Relationship Revealed
Elsewhere in the dramatic episode, the tense roundtable saw the final eight players decided. Dr Ellie Buckley, 33, was banished after receiving the most votes. Breaking down in tears, the psychologist confirmed she was a Faithful before delivering a stunning revelation.
Ellie confessed she had entered the game with her boyfriend – Ross Garshong, 37, who had already been banished in a previous episode. While viewers had been let in on the secret earlier in the series, her fellow contestants were left completely speechless by the news.
Suspicion had lingered since the first episode, when the pair, both from London, appeared overly familiar on the train to the Scottish Highlands. Their prior connection was later confirmed by a group photo from a work trip in June 2024 that surfaced online.
Ross himself had been banished after players grew suspicious of his existing acquaintance with fellow contestant Netty Österberg, 42. The pair had mutual friends from their time in London over a decade ago. BBC bosses were aware of their tenuous social media link but allowed them both to participate. Netty was later the first player 'murdered' by the Traitors, which cast further doubt on Ross.
The episode also saw Jessie Roux brutally murdered by the Traitors. It concluded with Traitors Rachel Duffy, 42, and Stephen Libby, 32, being tasked with choosing a Faithful to receive a ceremonial dagger. The holder will get a double vote at the next roundtable, a power that could dramatically alter the game as the final approaches.
