The Traitors contestant Matthew Hyndman has candidly discussed his dramatic exit from the hit BBC reality show, revealing two significant regrets that he believes cost him his place in the competition. The Edinburgh-based Faithful found himself banished this week after co-star James exercised a deadly double vote, abruptly ending Matthew's hopes of exposing the real Traitors.
Reflecting on Missed Opportunities
Speaking exclusively to Metro, Matthew explained how hindsight has brought clarity to his game play, particularly around two key moments that continue to linger in his mind. The first regret centres on his passive response when facing elimination.
Failure to Fight His Corner
"My two regrets are: not trying to convince James that I wasn't a Traitor," Matthew revealed. "I was just like: 'Fine, think I'm a Traitor.' I didn't try to pull him aside and say: 'Listen, come on, I'm not a Traitor. What can I do to convince you?'"
This admission highlights the psychological complexity of the game, where social persuasion can prove as crucial as strategic gameplay. Matthew's reluctance to mount a vigorous defence ultimately sealed his fate at a critical juncture.
Hesitation Against a Winning Traitor
Matthew's second major regret involves his handling of suspicions against Stephen, who ultimately emerged as one of the winning Traitors. Despite gathering substantial evidence pointing toward Stephen's deception, Matthew failed to deploy this information with sufficient force at the final roundtable.
"Then, I had a lot of evidence against Stephen, and I regret not bringing all of that to my last roundtable and just going for it with [him] and seeing if I could possibly persuade someone to go with me," he confessed.
The Psychology of Suspicion
Adding to his sense of missed opportunity was Matthew's persistent fixation on fellow Faithful Jade, a suspicion that endured almost until his elimination. Reflecting on this dynamic, he acknowledged the psychological challenge of shifting perspective once doubt takes root.
"It's just so hard. Once you get an idea about someone in your head, it's just so difficult to let go of that," Matthew explained. "[Jade and I] had that moment at the roundtable. It suddenly struck me. I was like: 'Oh, my word. I think we're just two Faithfuls.'"
Beyond the Game: Lasting Impact
Despite his competitive regrets, Matthew remains profoundly proud of his experience on The Traitors, particularly regarding the show's broader social impact. He has received moving responses from LGBTQ+ viewers who have been inspired by his authentic representation on screen.
"I've had people tell me that just from seeing me live my life so openly and proudly, they've plucked up the courage to come out to their family," Matthew shared. "That's just amazing to hear. It's really special. I don't at all take this opportunity for granted."
Dramatic Finale Outcome
Matthew's reflections follow a tense finale that saw Traitors Rachel and Stephen crowned winners of the 2026 series. The pair maintained their alliance throughout the endgame, systematically eliminating remaining Faithfuls to secure the substantial prize pot.
In a remarkable conclusion, they divided £95,750 between them, each taking home £47,875. Host Claudia Winkleman praised their ruthless consistency, telling them: "Two traitors but totally faithful to each other. You did it. You absolutely did it."
Stephen admitted to moments of doubt before ultimately honouring his alliance, while Rachel celebrated becoming the first female Traitor to both reach the final and claim victory. Their triumph underscores the high-stakes psychological warfare that defines The Traitors, where trust proves as valuable as deception in the pursuit of victory.
