Psychologist Ellie has become the latest suspect for the Secret Traitor on BBC One's The Traitors after a verbal slip in her confessional. During the episode, Ellie said: "People will question whether you are sitting and watching as a kind of Secret Traitor..." This specific phrasing caught viewers' attention, as the Faithful contestants are supposedly unaware of the Secret Traitor twist introduced this season.
Fans quickly took to social media to point out the apparent gaffe. One viewer asked: "Anyone notice Ellie talking in the interview room and saying 'people will question whether you are sitting and watching as a kind of Secret Traitor'?" Another added: "Ellie saying 'don't want to look like a Secret Traitor' as a faithful who don't know about a Secret Traitor??? Suspicious wording." A third commented: "Ellie saying 'thinking I'm some Secret Traitor', why would you say secret and not just traitor unless it's on your mind?"
The Secret Traitor is a new element in the fourth series, announced by host Claudia Winkleman in the opening episode. This hidden betrayer, distinguished by a scarlet cloak, is unknown to both the other traitors and the audience. They hold the power to create a shortlist of three potential victims for the other traitors to eliminate.
Episode three nearly revealed the identity when original traitor Hugo was banished after being betrayed by fellow conspirator Stephen. The remaining traitors, Stephen and Rachel, then completed a covert task to mark nine names on a family tree, which earned them a meeting with the Secret Traitor. However, the episode ended just as the mysterious figure approached the tower, leaving viewers waiting until Wednesday, January 7 for the reveal.
Meanwhile, some fans have turned detective, analysing handwriting on the murder shortlist. One observer noted: "Based on the hand writing on the short list, I think Roxy could be the Secret Traitor." The theory emerged after Netty's name was misspelled as "Nettie" on the list, but Netty was eliminated before appearing on a roundtable voting list.
The Traitors continues next Wednesday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
