Sharp-eyed fans of the hit BBC reality show The Traitors believe they have exposed another hidden relationship between contestants, throwing the show's authenticity into question. This follows the dramatic early exit of two players, including the mother-daughter duo Judy and Roxy.
The Digital Trail on LinkedIn
Viewers on Reddit have unearthed a series of online interactions on professional networking site LinkedIn that suggest contestants Ellie, a psychologist, and Ross, a sales executive and personal trainer, were acquainted long before the cameras started rolling. The pair were shown meeting for the first time on a train to the Scottish castle in the series' opening episode, which aired this week.
However, the digital evidence tells a different story. Ross had publicly commented on several of Ellie's work updates with supportive messages. When Ellie announced she had qualified as a chartered psychologist, Ross wrote: "Congratulations! Great work Dr Buckley." He also congratulated her on a work promotion, a comment which Ellie 'liked'.
Timeline Fuels Speculation of Fake Meeting
While some interactions occurred after filming wrapped four months ago in June 2025, an eagle-eyed fan spotted a since-deleted post from Ross on Ellie's profile dating back nine months. This places their connection firmly before the show was filmed.
This discovery has led viewers to speculate that their initial 'chance' encounter was entirely staged. "Hilariously bad acting," wrote one Reddit user. Another commented: "I did find their initial scene quite strange."
Ross's Previous Known Connection
If true, this would not be Ross's only pre-existing link to a fellow contestant. He also knew nursery school teacher Netty, who became the first Faithful to be murdered by the Traitors during Friday's episode (2 January 2026).
The show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, continues tonight (Saturday 3 January) with Traitors Rachel, Hugo, and Stephen tasked with murdering either Ben, Reece, or Maz. The Independent has contacted a representative for The Traitors for comment regarding the fan theories.
