Viewers of the hit BBC One reality show The Traitors are convinced that nothing is as it seems, with a web of secret connections between the supposedly unfamiliar contestants being slowly untangled. The show's fourth series, which airs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights at 8pm, has introduced a 'Secret Traitor' and, more intriguingly, several hidden pre-existing relationships that have sent the fan theory mill into overdrive.
Confirmed Connections and Shocking Revelations
The first major secret was exposed in the opening episode when it was revealed that contestants Roxy and Judy are mother and daughter, a fact they had deliberately kept from the group. This was just the beginning.
Further digging by eagle-eyed fans, who scoured social media histories, suggested that contestant Ross knew both Netty and Ellie. Their suspicions were spectacularly confirmed during the episode aired on Wednesday 7 January 2026, when Ross was banished. Ellie then emotionally disclosed, "I'm really sad to see him go… especially because Ross is actually my boyfriend!"
With multiple relationships now in the open, the fan consensus is that more clandestine links are waiting to be discovered. Some even speculate that all the contestants are somehow acquainted, a theory seemingly hinted at by the 'family tree' painting in the castle foyer.
The Biggest Fan Theories in Play
Armed with a keen eye for detail, viewers have proposed several compelling theories about other potential connections within the castle walls.
Professional and Familial Ties
One theory centres on Maz, 59, and Amanda, 57. After Maz, a civil servant, revealed in episode four that he was a former police officer, fans immediately wondered if his path had crossed with Amanda's previous career as a police detective.
Another spotlight falls on former barrister Hugo, 51, and Amanda. In one exchange, Hugo told Amanda, "You're the only one who's prosecuted people," a statement fans believe suggests he knew of her undisclosed past. Theories range from professional collaboration to them being secret siblings. Links between Hugo and fellow ex-barrister turned crime writer Harriet have also been questioned.
Romantic and Regional Links
The behaviour of personal trainer Jack, 29, and hairstylist Jessie, 28, has not gone unnoticed. After Jessie saved Jack in a challenge, she was seen jumping into his arms, prompting widespread speculation that the pair are either in a relationship or are siblings. Jack's comment that he "couldn't be more proud" of Jessie only added fuel to the fire.
Other theories are slightly more tenuous. Some viewers suspect Rachel and Matthew might know each other, simply because they both hail from Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, the apparent familiarity and physical resemblance between Amanda and fellow contestant Reece have led to whispers that they could be mother and son.
A New Era of Reality TV Intrigue
The uncovering of these layers of connection has fundamentally changed the game for The Traitors series four. It is no longer just a battle between Faithfuls and Traitors, but a complex social puzzle where history and hidden alliances could dictate every decision. As more episodes air on BBC One, the armchair detectives watching at home will undoubtedly continue their quest to expose every last secret in the castle, proving that in this game, strangers are seldom what they seem.
