Celebrity Traitors fans believe the show's editing may have revealed the winner, with Maya Jama seemingly receiving a 'winner's edit' ahead of Friday's final on BBC One.
As the remaining stars prepare for the final, viewers have been analysing screen time and portrayal, with some convinced the outcome is already visible in the edit.
What is the 'winner's edit'?
Writing in The Times, Chloe Hamilton explored how viewers use Edgic, a technique combining editing and logic to predict winners of reality TV shows. The method originated among fans of the American series Survivor, which first aired in 2000, and involves examining how contestants are presented throughout a series.
Michelle Ellman, who posts about the psychology behind The Traitors, explained that a winner's edit aims to make audiences feel satisfied when the champion is revealed. She said: "You'll be taken into their mindset," noting how viewers see a contestant's strategy and emotions through appearances and confessionals. She added: "It's very hard to like someone if you don't understand what they've done."
Why Maya Jama is tipped to win
Maya has been identified as the star receiving that treatment. Described as the "coolest of cucumbers", she is the only original Traitor still remaining and has been central to the group's dynamics in the turret.
Her portrayal has been compared with previous civilian series winners, with Rachel Duffy and Stephen Libby's partnership in series four cited as an example of a satisfying storyline.
Screen time analysis and doubts
Writer Ed Jefferson has used facial recognition software to measure how often players appear on screen. He said: "With any story, the audience is naturally going to try and work out what happens next. What I'm doing is adding a rough quantitative element to something you probably get a sense of watching the episode." His approach correctly predicted Rob Beckett's departure after his screen time increased before he was murdered.
However, Ivan Brett, a Faithful on the first series of The Traitors, is not convinced. "The fundamental purpose of the edit is not to mislead you about who's going to win," he said. "It's about creating protagonists and making narrative through-lines that are compelling."
Penultimate episode and final details
Thursday's episode saw comedian James Acaster banished after admitting he had been made a Traitor despite wanting to be a Faithful. He said: "I'm really proud to say that's what I've been able to do, under the circumstances. I am, reluctantly, a traitor."
The Celebrity Traitors final airs on BBC One at 8pm on Friday.
