As January 2026 draws to a close, so too does another thrilling series of the BBC's hit reality show, The Traitors. What felt like mere days since Claudia Winkleman, in her signature knitwear, welcomed 22 contestants to Ardross Castle, the game is now in its nail-biting final week. With just eight players left and the prize fund soaring into five figures, a compelling argument has emerged: the only contestants truly worth supporting are the ones who have been Traitors from the very beginning.
The Faithfuls' Fumbling Final Stand
The structure of the game itself has ensured that the remaining Faithfuls are not its sharpest tools. While Roxy and Faraaz are undoubtedly pleasant, they have largely bumbled through the competition by never appearing as a genuine threat. Jade, stylish in her own right, has unwittingly served as the perfect decoy for much of the series.
Meanwhile, Jack and Matthew spent weeks being virtually indistinguishable from the pack of male contestants. The final Faithful, James, has baffled both his fellow players and the audience with his erratic behaviour and controversial shield-stealing antics. Collectively, their journey has been defined more by luck and confusion than by shrewd gameplay.
The Celtic Traitors' Chaotic Mastery
In stark contrast stand the Traitors, Stephen and Rachel. This Celtic alliance vowed to remain united after their original comrade, Hugo, was banished, and they have expertly navigated every subsequent crisis. From the Secret Traitor reveal to a murder in plain sight and Harriet's dramatic unravelling, they have rolled with the punches in a masterful, if occasionally messy, fashion.
They have skilfully exploited the Faithfuls' deep-seated distrust of one another, showing unwavering commitment to their own partnership. Much to the chagrin of players like Matthew, they have even turned down opportunities to recruit others, preferring to rely solely on each other.
Stephen, in particular, has seemed on the brink of discovery on multiple occasions. Yet, like a cat with nine lives, the stylish Scot has always survived—often thanks to another player like Fiona or Harriet accidentally creating the perfect distraction with their own suspicious behaviour.
A Ruthless Move That Cemented Their Status
The duo's boldest play came last week. Jessie, who had correctly identified Stephen as a Traitor early on with her 'Library Five' theory, became their target. Stephen and Rachel knew that murdering their accuser would dishearten the Faithfuls and throw immediate suspicion back onto Stephen.
The risk paid off spectacularly. Stephen deployed a flawless 'I'm being framed' defence at the Round Table, so convincing that he shockingly received not a single vote. This risky manoeuvre cemented his status as a Traitor who has played to win.
Rachel, the 42-year-old mother-of-three with FBI training, has been the series' unflappable puppet master. She cunningly turned on her early ally Amanda by revealing her police background, sparking Fiona's fatal confrontation. She then coolly saw off the threat posed by secret barrister Harriet, whose explosive breakfast outburst ultimately led to her own downfall.
No pair of Traitors has ever won the British version of the show, with previous finals forcing remaining traitors to turn on one another. But in Stephen and Rachel, the series may have finally found a duo loyal enough to their vow to see it through. With the Faithfuls having stumbled so badly, it's hard to argue that this year's Traitors don't deserve to steal the entire prize. For this viewer, the choice of who to root for has never been clearer.
