Traitors Champions Stephen Libby and Rachel Duffy Finally Awarded £95,750 Prize Money
Stephen Libby and Rachel Duffy, the triumphant winners of the hit reality series The Traitors, have at last received their substantial prize money of £95,750. The duo, who made history as the first traitors to ever secure victory in the game, will split the winnings evenly, marking a dramatic conclusion to the show's latest season.
The Final Showdown and Prize Distribution
In the climactic final episode, Stephen, Rachel, James Baker, Faraaz Noor, Jade Scott, and Jack Butler faced off in a tense battle of wits and strategy. The group initially banished Faraaz, followed by a second round of banishment that saw Jack eliminated, leaving Rachel and Stephen as the sole survivors to claim the prize. Although the pair were aware of their fortune months prior to the show's broadcast, they were not formally awarded the money until after the series had fully streamed to the public.
Stephen recently confirmed to The Sun that the prize money has now been officially transferred. "I have got it now yes, but I've not spent it!" he revealed, adding a lighthearted note to the long-awaited payout.
Stephen's Reflections on Mistakes and Victory
Winning the prize money came as a significant surprise to Stephen, who admitted to making several key errors during his time as a Traitor. Reflecting on the intense experience, he shared with This Morning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley that the environment was highly stressful. "It's very stressful in there, like at breakfast I knew who isn't coming but you've got to act shocked," he said.
Stephen elaborated on his early missteps, noting, "I made so many mistakes in there, I was embroiled in so many dramas and theories... when Jessie pulled me up on the final five theory, it's the first time I'd realised I'd made a catastrophic error as a Traitor." He humorously described his initial struggles, stating, "It was only two days into my time as a Traitor, so I still had the training wheels on - and when she brought it up I thought, 'How could I be so silly?'"
Despite these challenges, Stephen emphasized that consistency played a crucial role in his success. "I don't think I looked like a skilled liar, my face was perpetually shocked, I was always sweating, I was always red, the big eyes, but consistency is key. I was consistently shocked and looking scared so I don't think anyone thought there was anything weird about it," he explained.
Unity Among Contestants and Future Plans
The final saw Stephen and Rachel banish Jack, sticking together to win as Traitors—a move Stephen jokingly referred to as making them "Faithful." He highlighted the strong camaraderie among all contestants, saying, "We all get on so well, all of us - the [Faithful] were just so supportive and were so proud of me and Rachel. Because of the way it ended, the Faithful's kind of felt like it was almost like a Faithful win because [Rachel and I] stuck together, it was amazing."
Stephen also expressed humility regarding the prize, acknowledging Rachel's pivotal role. "At the end of the day, I was only standing at the final fire pit because of Rachel. I didn't deserve that money any more than she did, I was never going to take all the money for myself. I wanted to be able to leave with my head held high, I had stuck to my promise," he stated.
When asked about his plans for the substantial winnings, Stephen admitted he has left his job and aims to "enjoy life" with the funds. "[The money] is not in [my account] yet, but I'm not checking because I want to get a nice surprise when it comes in," he said, with Ben Shephard chiming in, "Just enjoy life!" This prize money not only rewards their strategic prowess but also provides a financial cushion for Stephen as he navigates post-show opportunities.
