Leanne Quigley, the triumphant winner of the BBC's hit reality series The Traitors, has shared the heartfelt and poignant way she has used her life-changing prize money one year on from her victory.
A Whirlwind Year of Triumph and Trial
The former soldier, who split the show's £95,000 jackpot with fellow Faithful Jake Brown earlier in 2025, has experienced a year of extreme highs and profound challenges. While fame from the show brought new opportunities, her personal life presented a formidable battle: her fiancée, Sophie Jones, was diagnosed with aggressive grade 3 breast cancer in June 2024.
Sophie, 33, underwent gruelling chemotherapy and was thankfully given the all-clear in January 2025. Leanne, 30, has been her rock throughout, while also parenting the couple's two-year-old twin boys, Harley and Hudson, and juggling a new career in the public eye. "The past year has been a whirlwind," Leanne reflects, highlighting how her perspective has shifted.
Creating Precious Memories with the Winnings
In light of the family's struggles, Leanne decided to use her Traitors prize money to create lasting joy and memories. "I feel like the last few years have put life into perspective for me – it’s so short," she says. "You never know what’s around the corner. It’s so important to make as many memories as you can."
While she still has some funds remaining, Leanne has been "spoiling the hell" out of her young sons. "It’s been a rough couple of years so we’re just prioritising ourselves," she explains. The family has enjoyed well-earned holidays, focusing on happiness after a difficult period. The twins' own start in life was traumatic, born at just 26 weeks, and Leanne has found solace in connecting with other parents of premature children through her platform.
Looking to the Future: Weddings, Babies, and TV
With Sophie now in recovery, albeit on a five-year medication plan, the couple are finally able to look forward. Wedding plans, put on hold during treatment, are back on the agenda for 2026. Leanne even jokes about asking Traitors host Claudia Winkleman to officiate, praising her wit.
Leanne is also eager to expand their family, expressing a desire for a baby girl. Professionally, she is navigating a "double life" between her North Wales home and London for TV work, but remains a dedicated mum first. She hopes to appear on more reality TV, mentioning shows like Hunted or Race Across The World.
As a new series of The Traitors launches, Leanne offers advice to future players: watch for contestants who seem overly tired, as it could betray late-night Traitor meetings in the turret. She also speaks candidly about the trolling she faced, urging viewers to remember the real people behind the screen.
Her story is ultimately one of resilience, where reality TV prize money has provided not just financial security, but a means to heal and celebrate life with her loved ones after a profoundly testing time.
