Viewers of BBC One's hit reality show The Traitors were left stunned as a seemingly innocent contestant was unveiled as the first-ever 'secret traitor'. The dramatic reveal came during the show's latest episode, hosted by Claudia Winkleman.
The Unlikely Schemer: A Community Pillar's Double Life
Fiona Hughes, a 62-year-old local government worker from the Swansea suburb of Dunvant, had her fellow contestants completely fooled. Described by neighbours as 'lovely', 'lively, bubbly and full of fun', she maintained a friendly demeanour while secretly plotting their downfall.
After being handed the covert role by host Claudia Winkleman in the first episode, Fiona vowed: 'I will do my best to be as treacherous as possible. This is just wonderful. I'm drunk on power!' Her performance was so convincing that fellow Traitors Stephen Libby, 32, and Rachel Duffy, 42, were left in disbelief at her true identity.
Gleefully addressing her castmates after the reveal, she boasted: 'I was wonderful, wasn't I? Hollywood is beckoning, I can feel it… I have basically done your job for you for the past few nights.' Fellow contestants acknowledged her skill, with Rachel Duffy admitting, 'Fiona coming in makes me nervous, she is going to ruffle a few feathers,' and Stephen Libby conceding, 'She is playing a very good game.'
A Life of Service in Swansea, A Secret in Scotland
Away from the scheming in the Scottish castle of Ardross, Fiona Hughes's life in Swansea couldn't be more different. She lives with her husband, Gwyn, and is a pillar of her community, dedicating her time to supporting vulnerable people.
As a local area coordinator with Swansea Council, she runs Bluebells, a dementia-friendly lunch club. She also founded the Victoria Saints Men's Club, which supports men dealing with loneliness, isolation, and mental health problems. The club recently moved to bigger premises to cope with demand.
Her proud husband Gwyn, who helps with the club, said: 'It's really taken off since Fiona set it up in September 2024. We get a cross-section from all age groups... We get together for three hours every Monday morning to put the world to rights over a cup of coffee, a bacon roll, and lots of biscuits.'
Neighbours and Nation Left in Shock
Fiona managed to keep her television appearance a complete secret, even from her closest neighbours. She attended a festive Boxing Day party at her neighbour Rosemary Evans's house without dropping a single hint about her upcoming role as a Traitor.
Mrs Evans told the Daily Mail: 'She didn't say anything about being in Traitors, but she's the sort of person who can keep a secret. I knew she would do well. I could see her as a Traitor, she'd be good at a cover-up, definitely.' She added that Fiona and Gwyn were great neighbours and expressed hope that Fiona would win.
Another neighbour, unfamiliar with the show, expressed shock, saying: 'Fiona is a lovely person, she has spent her life helping people, that's what she does.' This stark contrast between her real-life character and her televised persona is what made the reveal so compelling for millions of viewers.
The betrayal was not just for show; Fiona's actions had real consequences in the game. In a pivotal move during episode three, she turned on fellow Traitor Hugo Bailey, 51, leading directly to his banishment from the castle.
The Traitors continues on BBC One and iPlayer from January 8 at 8pm.
