In a dramatic and emotionally charged conclusion to the latest series of The Traitors, host Claudia Winkleman found herself overcome with emotion as she revealed the victorious duo. The Friday night finale, which has been described as one of the most suspenseful in the show's history, saw Stephen Libby and Rachel Duffy etch their names into the programme's annals by becoming the first pair of Traitors to successfully claim the cash prize together.
A Historic Victory Amidst High Stakes
As the tension reached its peak, Claudia Winkleman struggled to compose herself, her voice breaking as she delivered the news to the winners. 'You did it. You have each got £47,875,' she announced, her words laden with genuine sentiment. The moment was particularly poignant, with Claudia visibly holding back tears and even urging the pair to 'cuddle each other' before covering her face in a display of raw emotion.
This landmark achievement marks a significant departure from previous seasons, where Traitors have typically turned on one another in a bid to secure the entire £95,750 prize pot for themselves. The loyalty displayed by Stephen and Rachel throughout the game, especially in the nail-biting final stages, has set a new precedent for the show's format.
The Pact That Held Firm
Rachel Duffy, a 43-year-old communications manager, played what many are calling a textbook game as a Traitor from the very first week. Viewers were kept on the edge of their seats, uncertain whether she would ultimately betray her fellow Traitor, Stephen Libby, at the last possible moment. However, in a move that defied expectations, both contestants remained steadfastly loyal to the pact they had forged earlier in the series.
Stephen had previously expressed doubts about Rachel's commitment to their agreement, which involved never writing each other's names on their slates during the roundtable deliberations. Reflecting on the experience after their win, he admitted, 'It's so hard to trust someone in there whose job it is to lie, and so I was really struggling to see how Rachel could hold onto that pact for the whole game, which is why to the end I was wobbling.'
Rachel, for her part, was resolute in her decision to honour their bond. 'I knew from the minute it came out of my mouth I wouldn't break the pact, and I thought this is a new game for me; I'm not breaking it,' she explained. Her determination paid off, culminating in what she described as 'the best feeling in the world.' She added, 'I really thought it was such a big achievement to be the first female Traitor to make it to the final, then win.'
The Tense Final Showdown
The finale unfolded with intense drama, beginning with a roundtable that saw faithful contestant Jade Scott banished from Ardross Castle, leaving her in floods of tears after her friend Stephen voted her out. This was followed by the 'end game,' where the remaining four contestants had to assess their mutual trust. Ultimately, they did not, leading to the elimination of faithful Faraaz Noor.
This left Rachel, Stephen, and Jack Butler – a personal trainer who had remained relatively anonymous until the final week – standing around the iconic firepit. In a critical moment, Stephen made a selfless decision, sticking to the pact despite knowing that Jack would have voted Rachel out. Both Traitors remained loyal, a choice that sealed their historic victory.
Claudia Winkleman captured the essence of their triumph perfectly when she said, 'Two Traitors but totally faithful to each other. You did it, you absolutely did it. Congratulations.'
Reflections and Reactions
During a reunion on the spin-off show, The Traitors: Uncloaked, the duo joined their fellow contestants to relive the finale. Rachel admitted that watching the episode back was an emotional experience. 'I was so nervous for Stephen, so watching it back, it made me cry,' she shared.
Stephen echoed her sentiments, revealing, 'I didn't know what I was going to do; watching it back, I can see it in my face. I'm just so proud of the decision that I made, proud of myself and Rachel.'
The series finale, which featured five finalists including Jack Butler, Faraaz Noor, and Jade Scott alongside the winning Traitors, has been widely praised for its suspense and emotional depth. Fans who were convinced that Rachel would betray Stephen to claim the full prize were left astonished by the outcome, making this one of the most talked-about finales in the show's history.
The Traitors season four finale is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer, allowing viewers to experience the thrilling conclusion for themselves.
