With the gripping grand final of The Traitors 2026 fast approaching on BBC One, one of the show's standout contestants has shared a deeply personal and heartbreaking motivation for wanting to win the jackpot.
Rachel's Emotional Revelation In The Castle
Rachel Duffy, the 41-year-old strategic communications expert from Northern Ireland who has expertly concealed her role as a Traitor, opened up about her family's struggles during scenes aired last week. The fan-favourite contestant revealed that her mother, Anne, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at just 47 and is now also facing the challenges of dementia.
Rachel told her fellow players in the Scottish castle that her dream, should she win the prize fund, is to take her mother on an all-expenses-paid family holiday. "I just want to create memories with her while I’m still lucky enough to have her," she explained emotionally, adding that she also wants to create lasting moments for her children, who adore their nanny.
A Close-Knit Family in Newry
Further poignant details of Rachel's family life have since emerged. It has been revealed that her father, Raymond Mullen, passed away in 2016 at the age of 67. The Duffy-Mullen family are well-known in her hometown of Newry, where they gathered at a local venue to watch the series premiere, stunned to see Rachel selected as a Traitor in the very first episode.
She watched alongside her sister Joanne and brothers Neil, Shane, and Darren—the latter formerly the manager of football club Newry City. A source close to the family stated, "She’s got the backing of the whole city. Everyone is behind her." The family had believed Rachel was in England for work, unaware she was secretly filming the hit BBC reality show in Scotland.
Poker Face and Puppet Master Dreams
Before appearing on screen, Rachel spoke to the BBC about her desire to be a Traitor, describing herself as wanting to be a "puppet master." She contrasted her charitable work in real life with the game's premise, saying she would relish the chance to "backstab and lie to people's faces" in a controlled environment.
She also boasted of an excellent poker face, revealing that she often fools her own husband. "My husband can't even tell if I'm telling the truth anymore," she admitted, highlighting the skills that have made her such a formidable player in the 2026 season.
The 2026 final of The Traitors is due to air on BBC One and iPlayer on Friday night, with viewers now invested not only in the game's outcome but in the heartfelt personal story of one of its most compelling contestants.
