In a dramatic round-table banishment, self-proclaimed 'secret villain' Fiona Hughes was sent packing from the castle on The Traitors, her game-ending after a failed attempt to turn the tables on fellow Traitor Rachel Duffy.
A Strategy That Spectacularly Backfired
The 62-year-old local government officer from Swansea left viewers stunned when she aggressively confronted Rachel, labelling her a liar. This came after Rachel truthfully revealed that another contestant, Amanda Collier, was a former senior Met detective.
Fiona's plan, however, unravelled completely. She did not receive a single vote of support from the other Faithful players at the round-table, making her banishment swift and decisive. Even host Claudia Winkelman appeared visibly pleased as the Traitor was toppled.
Speaking after her exit, Fiona admitted her tactics were flawed. "My cunning plan was not cunning at all," she conceded with grace. She explained that accusing Rachel publicly felt like her only option to avoid being betrayed first. "I felt at the time it was my only chance... I didn't think I'd have another opportunity to put her name to the group as a potential Traitor," Fiona said.
Playing for 'Women of a Certain Age'
In her final speech, Fiona claimed she had been playing the game to prove a point. "I came in here to prove that women of a certain age should be listened to," she insisted, despite having played one of the most erratic games in the series' history.
Despite her spectacular demise, the ousted Traitor expressed no regrets. "No, I had an absolute ball. Yes, it would have been lovely to have won, but it wasn't going to happen. I wasn't fetching money to the table," she stated.
Fiona revealed her highlight was being chosen as the Secret Traitor at the start. "Finding out I had the red cloak was something else... just wanting to put it on straight away and let the killing begin," she admitted, laughing about her excitement.
Allegiances and the End Game
Fiona believed her unique role as the Secret Traitor, unknown to the other Traitors initially, ultimately put her at a disadvantage. "They were having an opportunity to build allegiances, whereas I was very much on my own," she reflected.
She also explained her deep suspicion of Rachel, a "phenomenal" but formidable player. "I felt that when somebody mentioned Stephen, she didn't challenge their decision. So straight away I thought, she's a lone wolf... if she's going to get rid of somebody from the turret, it will be me."
Her suspicions proved correct in part. The third Traitor, Stephen Libby, sided with Rachel, realising Fiona's ousting would clear his name. He grew tearful as he wrote her name down, but it sealed her fate. Fiona received more than double the votes of Sam, who got four.
In a sporting conclusion, Fiona said she now hopes the remaining Traitors win, despite their votes against her. "I sincerely hope they do," she said, also praising faithful player Matt Hyndman as "very clever" and formidable.
The episode ended on a major cliffhanger, with Matt winning a private chat with the Traitors. In a shock move, he offered to join them, asking "have we got a deal?" Viewers must wait until Wednesday's episode to discover their response.
