The gripping fourth season of BBC's psychological reality competition The Traitors reached its dramatic conclusion on Friday 23 January 2026, leaving viewers utterly stunned as the remaining Faithful contestants appeared to miss what fans considered a glaring and potentially game-changing slip-up from eventual winner Rachel.
A Tense Finale Unfolds
The episode picked up directly from the previous instalment's cliffhanger, revealing the results of the crucial chests of chance. Unfortunately for contestant James, his selection yielded an empty chest, while Rachel successfully obtained the protective shield, resulting in James's immediate banishment from the castle. This pivotal moment set the stage for the final psychological battles between the remaining players.
The Moment That Had Viewers Screaming
During a subsequent debrief gathering within the castle, Rachel attempted to reassure her fellow contestants with a statement that immediately raised eyebrows among the watching audience. "If I were a Faithful, I'd murder me," she initially declared, before pausing and correcting herself: "Traitor. If I were a Traitor, I'd murder me."
While fellow contestant Jade appeared to register slight suspicion at Rachel's curious wording, the other players seemed to continue their discussions without acknowledging the potentially revealing verbal stumble. This moment proved electrifying for the home audience, with many taking to social media to express their disbelief.
Audience Reaction and Social Media Frenzy
Viewers watching the broadcast were convinced they had witnessed a critical error that should have exposed Rachel's true allegiance. "She's literally just outed herself as a Traitor," one fan declared online. Another commented, "Oh Rachel, that slip-up might've cost you," while a third asked incredulously, "Did none of them pick up on Rachel saying 'if I was a Faithful'???"
Despite this apparent misstep, Rachel's position remained secure as the game progressed through extraordinary demonstrations of deception and strategy. Following Jade's elimination at the roundtable, Faraaz was next to depart after experiencing double-crossing tactics from Stephen, leaving Jack as the final Faithful standing.
Historic Victory for the Traitors
After a tense final confrontation that had fans questioning whether Rachel and Stephen would honour their initial agreement, the duo demonstrated remarkable loyalty to each other. Jack's subsequent elimination confirmed that the two Traitors had successfully navigated the entire game, securing a historic joint victory.
Critical Acclaim for a Standout Season
In his four-star review of the finale, critic Nick Hilton praised the season's exceptional quality, writing: "Whether it was traitorous Celtic duo Rachel and Stephen forging an unshakeable bond in the turret, rogue 'Secret Traitor' Fiona self-immolating, crime novelist Harriet also self-immolating, or side-burned gardener James delivering mixed metaphors and malapropisms like they were going out of flavour, season four delivered. And then some."
Hilton further highlighted the exceptional performance of the winning pair, noting: "When, with stifled delight, Stephen revealed his final board, he brought the curtain down on something quite rare in the world of reality TV: a genuinely impressive performance. This is a competition that was won by two traitors who did really, really well. That their skill is lying and deceiving is beside the point. They have proven themselves to be the Williams sisters, the Pelé and Garrincha, the Torvill and Dean, of subterfuge."
The series concluded with Rachel and Stephen's triumph marking a memorable conclusion to a season characterised by sophisticated gameplay, unexpected alliances, and psychological intrigue that captivated audiences across the nation.
