The winner of BBC's hit reality series The Traitors, Stephen Libby, has candidly discussed the significant 'mistakes' he made during the show that left him utterly 'shocked' to secure the substantial cash prize. His victory has enabled him to leave his job and focus on 'enjoying life' with his newfound financial freedom.
A Surprising Triumph
Stephen, aged 32, was announced as the winner alongside Rachel Duffy during last Friday's tense finale, hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Following the dramatic reveal, Stephen appeared on This Morning to reflect on his unexpected journey to victory.
The final episode saw Stephen, Rachel, James Baker, Faraaz Noor, Jade Scott, and Jack Butler competing fiercely for the crown. After banishing Faraaz first, the group proceeded to eliminate Jack in a second round of dramatic banishment, ultimately leaving Rachel and Stephen to claim the prize money.
Overwhelming Emotions and Key Errors
Both Traitors were visibly overwhelmed with emotion as Claudia Winkleman declared their win, with each contestant taking home an impressive £47,875. However, Stephen admitted that his triumph came as a genuine surprise, as he believed he had committed several crucial errors throughout the series.
Speaking to hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, Stephen revealed: 'It's very stressful in there, like at breakfast I knew who isn't coming but you've got to act shocked.'
He elaborated on his perceived missteps: 'I made so many mistakes in there, I was embroiled in so many dramas and theories... when Jessie pulled me up on the final five theory, it's the first time I'd realised I'd made a catastrophic error as a Traitor.'
The Struggles of a New Traitor
Stephen explained that this critical mistake occurred just two days into his role as a Traitor, describing himself as still having 'the training wheels on'. He recalled thinking, 'How could I be so silly?' when confronted with the error.
Reflecting on his early performance, Stephen confessed: 'I was making a lot of mistakes in the beginning, and I think I had so many moments where I thought I'm not cut out for it.'
He humorously noted his physical reactions during filming: 'I don't think I looked like a skilled liar, my face was perpetually shocked, I was always sweating, I was always red, the big eyes, but consistency is key. I was consistently shocked and looking scared so I don't think anyone thought there was anything weird about it.'
The Final Showdown and Faithful Support
The finale saw Stephen and Rachel strategically banish Jack, sticking together to secure their win as Traitors. Stephen joked that this solidarity made them feel almost like 'Faithful' contestants.
He expressed gratitude for the support from fellow contestants: 'We all get on so well, all of us - the [Faithful] were just so supportive and were so proud of me and Rachel. Because of the way it ended, the Faithful's kind of felt like it was almost like a Faithful win because [Rachel and I] stuck together, it was amazing.'
Stephen generously acknowledged Rachel's crucial role in his victory: 'At the end of the day, I was only standing at the final fire pit because of Rachel. I didn't deserve that money any more than she did, I was never going to take all the money for myself. I wanted to be able to leave with my head held high, I had stuck to my promise.'
Life After The Traitors
When asked about his plans for the prize money, Stephen revealed he has left his job and intends to 'enjoy life' with his winnings. He shared: '[The money] is not in [my account] yet, but I'm not checking because I want to get a nice surprise when it comes in. I've left my job so really it's just allowing me to just survive for the next wee while as well.'
Ben Shephard enthusiastically added: 'Just enjoy life!'
Known for his distinctive vintage fashion style on the show, Stephen also joked about planning a shopping trip with his earnings. He opened up about the behind-the-scenes challenges of packing for the series, noting that contestants have a strict luggage limit.
Stephen explained: 'I do love clothes - these clothes are what I wear on a day-to-day basis, it's not like I curated a wardrobe for The Traitors specifically and 90% of what I wore on the show I already owned. I took two suitcases and a hope and a prayer, because I was shoving my foot into the case trying to sit on it and close it, there was a limit and I had to stick to that limit. I went to the nth degree of the limit as well.'
The Traitors Expands to the Stage
In related news, The Traitors is set to receive a 'bold and surprising' new adaptation as the BBC transforms the hit reality TV format for the stage. Production companies Studio Lambert and Neal Street Productions, responsible for the television series, have announced that a theatrical version is currently in development, scheduled to launch in London next year.
Written by John Finnermore of Good Omens fame and directed by Olivier award-winner Robert Hastie, the stage show promises to deliver 'a bold and surprising' experience for fans, set in a 'thrilling new hunting ground'.
Stephen Lambert, CEO of Studio Lambert, commented: 'Taking The Traitors from screen to stage is a hugely exciting next step for this much-loved brand. Partnering with Neal Street Productions, a true theatrical powerhouse, allows us to reimagine the show as a bold and surprising theatrical performance. Faithful fans should expect an intense, joyful night out as we reveal a thrilling new hunting ground for our Traitors.'
Caro Newling of Neal Street Productions added that the production would offer a 'bold, structural twist to the format only a live medium can provide'. While specific production details and debut dates remain to be announced, this expansion marks an exciting new chapter for The Traitors franchise.
The Traitors is currently available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
