The Traitors contestant Stephen Libby was left visibly emotional this week after a verbal blunder during a tense episode of the hit BBC reality show went viral. The star took to social media to react to the awkward moment, which saw him mix up a common English phrase.
The Awkward On-Air Slip-Up
During a critical strategy discussion aired earlier this week, Stephen and fellow Traitor Rachel were debating their next move. The pair were considering whether to murder contestants Jessie, Matt, and Faraz, a decision that would see them leave the castle. In the high-pressure scene, Stephen intended to say the idiom "throw the cat amongst the pigeons" but instead told Rachel they should "throw the cat amongst the chickens."
The gaffe could have slipped by unnoticed by some viewers, but Stephen himself was acutely aware of it. Following the episode's broadcast, he shared a video on his Instagram in which he appeared to be crying over the mistake. He humorously captioned the post: "I don't think we had pigeons growing up on the Isle of Lewis."
Fan Reactions Flood Social Media
Stephen's followers quickly filled the comment section with messages of support and amusement. One fan wrote: "Another brilliant episode!!! It's become like my newest soap opera!!" Another commented: "Was waiting for Harriet's very dramatic Cat amongst the pigeons."
Some fans even defended his unique phrasing. One supporter suggested: "I heard it's actually chickens in some cultures, so you're just more worldly than others." The light-hearted response from the public highlighted the show's grip on its audience, even during its contestants' most awkward moments.
Mounting Tensions Within The Game
The verbal slip occurred against a backdrop of rising paranoia and danger for the Traitors. Contestant Jessie has repeatedly pushed to have Stephen banished, making her a significant threat as the number of players dwindles. During their turret discussion, Stephen and Rachel also weighed the danger posed by Matt, who directly asked the Traitors if they would recruit him during a recent round of questions.
Rachel labelled Matt "dangerous," a sentiment Stephen agreed with. The pair also discussed Faraz, with Stephen noting, "Now that Sam’s out of the picture, I think he’ll come for me next." The episode concluded with Rachel's ominous statement about hoping they made the right decision, leaving viewers in suspense over who was ultimately targeted.
Recent Exits Shake the Castle
The episode also covered the dramatic banishment of Sam, who was voted out after his fellow Faithfuls deemed his behaviour during a task suspicious. Sam, an account manager, later said he felt "overwhelmed" and "frustrated," acknowledging his actions "looked weird" to others. His departure was followed by the murder of builder Adam, who blamed fellow faithful James for his fate after James secretly took a shield for protection.
Adam, 34, reflected on his exit, stating: "I feel like I was done at that particular time. It was so exhausting trying to understand and read people and every little movement." With the game reaching its critical final stages, every word and action is under intense scrutiny, explaining Stephen Libby's emotional reaction to his now-infamous chickens and pigeons mix-up.
