Friday's episode of The Traitors delivered one of the most dramatic roundtables yet, culminating in a shocking confession that left the remaining players reeling. After a tense vote, Dr Ellie Buckley, 33, was banished from Ardross Castle, breaking down in tears as her journey ended.
A Final Speech That Changed Everything
However, the psychologist's departure was far from ordinary. In her final speech, after confirming she was a Faithful, Ellie dropped a bombshell on her unsuspecting fellow contestants. She revealed that she had entered the game alongside her boyfriend, Ross Garshong, 37, who had already been voted off the BBC series earlier in the competition.
While viewers had been let in on the secret during episode four, the other players were left completely speechless by the revelation. The disclosure confirmed long-held viewer suspicions that had begun the moment the pair boarded the train in the Scottish Highlands in the New Year's Day premiere.
Clues That Pointed to the Secret
Observant fans noted that Ellie and Ross, both from London, appeared far too familiar for two people supposedly meeting for the first time. Their connection was later seemingly confirmed by a group photo from a work trip in June 2024 that surfaced online, showing them together before the show.
Further evidence emerged when both posted holiday snaps from the same Tenerife location after filming wrapped in May. Ellie shared photos from the Tivoli La Caleta resort, while Ross, a fifth-ranked muscle model in Europe, posted images from his own trip with the caption 'Suns out, guns out.'
Ross's Earlier Suspicion and Netty's Murder
Ross's own exit was heavily influenced by his prior connection to another contestant, Netty Österberg, 42. The pair had mutual friends from their time in London over a decade ago, a link BBC bosses discovered during background checks but deemed tenuous enough to allow them both on the show.
Mike Cotton, Creative Director at Studio Lambert, told the Daily Mail they did not warn the players ahead of the opening scene, wanting to capture their natural reaction. Netty later became the first player 'murdered' in the game, which immediately cast intense suspicion on Ross. The Traitors—Stephen Libby, Rachel Duffy, and Hugo Bailey—seized the opportunity to frame him, leading to his banishment.
The Final Stretch Begins
Elsewhere in the emotional Friday episode, Jessie Roux was brutally murdered by the Traitors, whittling the competition down to just eight remaining contestants. The episode concluded with a major twist, as Traitors Rachel and Stephen were tasked with choosing a Faithful to receive a ceremonial dagger.
Whoever is given the dagger will wield a powerful double vote at the next roundtable. With the final only days away, this advantage could dramatically alter the course of the entire game, setting the stage for a tense and unpredictable climax to the series.
