With The Traitors’ final fast approaching, the prize pot is in touching distance for the remaining players – including the two Traitors who are hoping to steal the lot.
Traitor dream-team Stephen and Rachel have so far successfully dodged banishment, despite multiple Faithfuls making strong cases against them both.
This week, though, the Celtic pair appear to be cracking under the pressure as tensions rise.
Thursday’s penultimate episode (22 January) saw the two players throw suspicion on to one another at various points, all the while reassuring each other that the gameplay is all part of their joint ruse.
Elsewhere, Roxy was murdered and the Faithfuls were successful in their up-hill challenge. Their triumph meant an additional £10,000 in prize money – and a block on the Traitors’ final murder.
At a tense roundtable, Rachel and James emerged as the main suspects resulting in a split vote not once but twice – with Stephen ultimately backing his fellow Traitor. As such, the banishment will be left up to fate with Rachel and James choosing from the Chests of Chance in Friday night’s finale.
The Traitors finale airs at 8.30pm on BBC One. Follow the latest updates below…
The Traitors
- Recapping last night's cliffhanger ending
- Rachel turns the heat on Stephen at tense roundtable
- Roxy becomes the next player to be murdered
- 'Why this year's messy Traitors are the only ones I'm rooting for'
This year's dark horse contestant
11:30 , Jacob StolworthyStep forward Jade. She’s always had her name brought up at the roundtable, meaning she’s been saved from murder, but you’ll notice how there’s never really been enough evidence to banish her.
This is mostly due to the fact Jade speaks when she has something important to say (a trait I wish I had) and has avoided needlessly pinching the limelight. She’s easily my favourite remaining Faithful and I’d be happy if she walked away with the entire jackpot to herself.
11:00 , Jacob Stolworthy How a simple scheduling change transformed the gripping reality series into a BBC behemoth.
Whoever decided this needs a pay rise.
How The Traitors became the most popular show on TV
The six remaining contestants
10:30 , Jacob StolworthyIt’s all to play for – but who is in the running to win the cash prize?
The final 6 Traitors contestants, from the master puppeteer to those under the radar
Impossible for both Stephen and Rachel to win?
10:10 , Jacob StolworthyIf Rachel survives the roundtable, it seems unlikely that she’ll succeed in winning alongside Stephen. Why? Well, the fact the Traitors are unable to murder has really dented their plans. With Faraaz and now Jade gunning for Rachel, there’s no way they’ll elect to finish the game if Rachel is there.
ICYMI: *That* cliffhanger
09:27 , Jacob StolworthyGroans could be heard across the country.
Tonight's episode airs later than usual
09:19 , Jacob StolworthyIf you tune in to watch the final at 8pm tonight, you’ll have to wait another 30 minutes because the episode is airing in the later slot of 8.30pm to 9.45pm, followed by Uncloaked.
Why Roxy’s reaction to the Traitors’ identities wasn’t shown
08:50 , Jacob StolworthyMany people tuned into Uncloaked to see banished Faithful Roxy find out that her two closest allies were, in fact, Traitors. But they were left disappointed. Here’s why:
Why Roxy’s reaction to the Traitors’ identities wasn’t shown on Uncloaked
Recapping last night's events
08:19 , Jacob Stolworthy- Roxy was murdered by Traitors Rachel and Stephen.
- Stephen launched a private attack against Rachel, in fear she would turn on him in the eleventh hour.
- The contestants successfully completed a mission adding £10,000 to the cash prize – as well as blocking the final murder.
- The roundtable ended up in a deadlock between James (Faithful) and Traitor (Rachel) and ended before we found out who was banished.
And breathe!
How are we feeling after that cliffhanger?
08:00 , Jacob StolworthyThe producers knew what they were doing.
07:00 , Annabel NugentThat might be the most deliciously infuriating cliffhanger of all time
— Duncan Lindsay (@DuncanLindsay) January 22, 2026
What am I meant to do for 22 and a half hours? #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/SZSZfsMKkt
While we may be saying farewell to the UK Traitors tomorrow, the Irish version of the series is set to arrive this weekend so don’t bother shrugging off your cloaks just yet!
UK Traitors fans to get new series just hours after current season ends
06:00 , Annabel NugentHow a simple scheduling change transformed The Traitors into a BBC behemoth.
Fair play to Rachel, she knows how to handle the heat. Meanwhile last night panicky and defensive James delivered a masterclass on what not to do in this situation. You’d almost think he was a Traitor!
04:00 , Annabel NugentIf you’re looking to replicate Traitors at home, might I suggest Chameleon? It’s a board game of lies and deception that mimics the dynamic of the BBC series, with all the same tension, herd mentality – and panic!
03:00 , Annabel NugentIn the wake of Roxy’s murder, the players were told about her connection to fellow Faithful Judy.
01:00 , Annabel NugentSome of the best reactions...
james #Traitors #TraitorsUK pic.twitter.com/dwH3vQhfYH
— luce (@piantonelli) January 22, 2026
Faraaz might have just saved this season from becoming a literal cakewalk for the traitors. He finally woke up!#TheTraitors#TheTraitorsUK pic.twitter.com/JmZPUY0Uae
— Kapitan Kidlat (@kapitankidlat24) January 21, 2026
The only acceptable ending for me is either for Rachel and Stephen to win as traitors or for Jade and Faraaz to clutch their way to victory.#TheTraitors#TheTraitorsUK pic.twitter.com/ihcukgTG4m
— Kapitan Kidlat (@kapitankidlat24) January 21, 2026
00:00 , Annabel NugentThe most likeable bringer of death since Paddington.#TraitorsUK #Traitors pic.twitter.com/8WTvx0u8pV
— Dylan 🐦 (@dylan6roberts) January 16, 2026
Who do you want to see go through to the final – James or Rachel?
Thursday 22 January 2026 23:00 , Annabel Nugent I love this from our columnist Charlotte Cripps – who explains why she’s raising her kids to be mini Traitors!
I’m raising my kids to be duplicitous little Traitors – lying is a vital life skill!
Watch: Faraaz reveals his Rachel theory
Thursday 22 January 2026 22:00 , Annabel NugentThe beginning of the end for Rachel...
Rachel turns the heat up on Stephen
Thursday 22 January 2026 21:21 , Annabel NugentICYMI: Roxy is murdered
Thursday 22 January 2026 21:19 , Annabel Nugent Thursday 22 January 2026 21:04 , Annabel NugentI need to be honest, while it admittedly makes for good TV, I do hate the fact that the banishment has been left up to chance as opposed to skill.
Thursday 22 January 2026 21:02 , Annabel NugentStick around on BBC One to watch Uncloaked where Roxy is about to have her world turned upside down when she learns that Stephen and Rachel, her most trusted pals, are the Traitors!
Thursday 22 January 2026 21:01 , Annabel NugentHonestly, chills! That episode had my heart racing – I really thought Stephen was going to throw Rachel under the bus there. Maybe the Traitor bond is stronger than we thought...
Thursday 22 January 2026 21:00 , Annabel NugentOf course, it ends on a cliffhanger! I actually am not sure which way I want this to go...
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:59 , Annabel NugentNow this banishment is in the hands of fate – or the chests of chance. Whatever you fancy.
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:58 , Annabel NugentAnother deadlock!
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:57 , Annabel NugentCan Rachel trust Stephen? Honestly no clue.
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:55 , Annabel NugentThat is a very good point from James – Rachel is too good of a player to not have been murdered yet if she wasn’t a Traitor.
A draw! It all comes down to these final pleas – might Stephen be persuaded to switch teams?
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:54 , Annabel NugentAnd the votes are in...
James: Rachel
Rachel: James
Jade: James
Faraaz: Rachel
Stephen: James
Jack: Rachel
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:52 , Annabel NugentOh my gosh, if Rachel escapes this I am going to be stunned! Let’s get to voting...
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:51 , Annabel NugentGosh, Rachel is great at deflecting!
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:50 , Annabel NugentAnd this after Stephen stepped into save Rachel minutes ago... do we think this U-turn is legitimate?
Either way, masterful acting from both of them. Wow, the Oscar nominations were announced today and these two were snubbed!
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:49 , Annabel NugentStephen looks so blindsided by Rachel’s question here!
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:48 , Annabel NugentHere we go, Faraaz. This is how you formulate a clear, level-headed argument – not that heated passion that got Harriet kicked out.
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:47 , Annabel NugentFair play to Rachel, she knows how to handle the heat. Meanwhile panicky and defensive James is delivering a masterclass on what not to do in this situation. You’d almost think he was a Traitor!
