With The Traitors’ final fast approaching, the growing prize pot is in touching distance for the remaining contestants – including the two Traitors who are hoping to steal the lot.
Stephen and Rachel have been plotting in the turret since the first episode of series, and have so far successfully dodged being banished, despite multiple Faithfuls making strong cases against them both.
This week, the Celtic pair are attempting to become the first Traitorous duo to make it to the final together – well, unless one of them stabs the other in the back.
They started strong by giving James the ceremonial dagger. He then used his two votes at the round table to get rid of Matthew.
As the seven remaining players reeled from his banishment, the usually quiet Faraaz pitched a theory - and correctly named Rachel as a Traitor. How will she wiggle out of this one?
Rachel may have made things worse for herself in the turret too, as she issued Stephen a warning that left him questioning their pact.
The Traitors airs at 8pm on BBC One. Follow the latest updates below…
The Traitors
- Fans praise Faraaz for last-minute moment of genius
- Matthew becomes the latest player banished
- 'Why this year's messy Traitors are the only ones I'm rooting for'
“Why this year’s messy Traitors are the only ones I’m rooting for”, by Rachel McGrath
Why this year’s messy Traitors are the only ones I’m rooting for
The belligerent seven: who are the septet of contestants remaining on The Traitors?
The final 7 Traitors contestants, from the master puppeteer to those under the radar
This piece is interesting, I thought:
How a simple scheduling change transformed The Traitors into a BBC behemoth
No honour among Traitors?
At the end of last night’s episode, Rachel suggested to Stephen that she wouldn’t refrain from mentioning his name as a potential Traitor.
“Please remember nobody can stick up for one another at this point,” she told him. “And if you hear anybody repeat that I’m talking about you, it’s because I have to, to protect our alliance.”
Stephen’s not exactly thrilled.
“Right now, I’m worried. Maybe I’ve been blind... If I did find out that she was going against me behind my back, then game on.”
Then there was the sensational moment Faraaz confronted Rachel.
“I’ve been toying it in my head,” he says, before telling Rachel: “I think it might be you.”
“Fiona didn’t really have one-to-one chats with many people. And she might have had one with you because if you are a traitor, you’ve got that trust there.”
Clever man.
Let’s look back at some of the biggest moments from last night.
What about that moment when James broke down in tears, having gone in hard on Matthew?
“I’m a dreadful Faithful, is all I can tell you,” he despairs, while Roxy consoles him... and so does Rachel.
Surely the highlight of last night’s episode:
Claudia Winkleman’s hilarious outburst steals The Traitors spotlight
It’s a bit true...
James: I’m not a traitor
— Ashleyyy (@ashleymoss0) January 22, 2026
Matt: I’m not a traitor
Roxy: I’m not a traitor
Faraaz: I’m not a traitor
Jade: I’m not a traitor
Everyone: omg Jade why are you getting all defensive that’s what a traitor would do#TheTraitors
Watch: Matthew banished as Traitors' dagger plan works
08:00 , Jacob StolworthyThe best moment of last night's show
06:00 , Rachel McGrathHow will Rachel get out of this?! I cannot wait to find out.
Matthew's parting words
05:00 , Rachel McGrath1I have to admit, I was a little gutted he didn’t ‘fess up to offering himself up for recruitment.
Instead, here’s what he told the rest of the players after being banished:
“I just came in and played as myself.
“I love games. This has been unbelievable. I hope you guys come and visit me in Edinburgh.
“When Claudia made her decision, I felt the biggest sense of validation because… I’m a Faithful.”
Watch: Faraaz reveals his Rachel theory
04:00 , Rachel McGrathHere’s that brilliant moment from last night’s episode for you...
Will Roxy turn against Rachel?
03:00 , Rachel McGrathShe questioned her pal in last night’s episode, before Faraaz then pitched his theory.
Perhaps she could be convinced?
‘Why am I still here?’ Roxy confronts Rachel as Traitors plot unravels
The best reactions to last night's show
02:00 , Rachel McGrathHere’s a round-up of some of my favourite tweets following the latest drama...
When you see a member of The Fratellis #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/zOVqh9oI6j
— Jono Read (@jonoread) January 21, 2026
You’re watching the BBC. pic.twitter.com/MDXnPZVuA9
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) January 21, 2026
Me to my mate when a dodgy man asks me to get in his van #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/LfHWESMj5P
— Joezempic 💉 (@JoeWritesThings) January 21, 2026
Stephen finally waking up to the fact that Rachel will drop him the second it’s convenient for her #TheTraitorsUK #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/qhKA6FgcCI
— Emily 🌙🌊 (@Musical_Emmy) January 21, 2026
Recap: Roxy confronts Rachel
01:00 , Rachel McGrath1Before Faraaz voiced his suspicions, Roxy did her best to confront Rachel, explaining that she needed to look at those closest to her.
It was, of course, futile because Rachel was never going to say, “actually, I’m a Traitor”. But at least she tried, I guess?
Claudia was on brilliant form during last night’s challenge, wasn’t she?
Watch: Matthew banished as Traitors' dagger plan works
Wednesday 21 January 2026 23:01 , Rachel McGrathThe Faithfuls walked straight into Rachel and Stephen’s trap...
Watch: Faraaz confronts Rachel
Wednesday 21 January 2026 22:00 , Rachel McGrathSorry to Matthew, but his banishment became a sub-plot once this happened.
Fans praise Faraaz for last-minute genius moment
Wednesday 21 January 2026 21:30 , Rachel McGrathBetter late than never, eh? Welcome to the game, Faraaz!
Obsessed with Faraaz going from just being there smiling away to becoming a last minute mastermind detective diva #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/27JL62ocH8
— Leevs x 🌙🪐 (@HelloItsLevi) January 21, 2026
the whole UK reacting to Faraaz getting it spot on and finally doing something other than being funny #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/jXyb08wTkn
— 🔻 چیمہ ᴄʜᴇᴇᴍᴀ (@cheemaprod) January 21, 2026
Faraaz’s finally entering the chat after being wrong for 3 weeks #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/3x0pqFtMQB
— Alex (@alexr_241) January 21, 2026
Faraaz waiting til the final hour to reveal himself as the only one with a brain! #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/Ot7h7pE4Pr
— Rachel Joanne (@Raq91x) January 21, 2026
Now Rachel has told Stephen to ignore it if he hears anyone saying she’s talking about him!
Maybe we will get a final Traitor on Traitor battle after all.
So the Traitors are debating between Faraaz and Roxy for murder... surely they won’t go for Faraaz after he accused Rachel?
That feels like it would be a silly move...
Faraaz has nailed it!
He’s said nothing the whole series and he’s now accused Rachel, getting it absolutely bang on. Oh wow.
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!
A who's who of the final eight
Wednesday 21 January 2026 17:44 , Rachel McGrathLet’s just say some have contributed more in the castle than others...
The final 8 Traitors contestants, from the master puppeteer to those under the radar
Could Rachel stab Stephen in the back?
Wednesday 21 January 2026 17:43 , Rachel McGrathThis year’s Traitors have proven to be a formidable team, haven’t they?
I am really hoping they make it to the end together and had started to think that was likely... until I saw this theory:
Think about tonight’s episode, I think they’ll choose Rachel to get the double votes as nobody is suspecting her.
— Lewis Condy (@lewis_condy) January 21, 2026
She’ll then throw Stephen under the bus and use both against him making the faithfuls believe they got them all.#TheTraitors
It has legs, right? Eeek!
Irish version of The Traitors to arrive this weekend
Wednesday 21 January 2026 15:30 , Rachel McGrathWhile we’ll have to wait almost a year for the next British series of The Traitors, the BBC is treating us to the Irish version - and there really isn’t long to wait.
UK Traitors fans to get new series just hours after current season ends
Traitors star announces pregnancy
Wednesday 21 January 2026 15:00 , Rachel McGrathICYMI, Roxy announced her pregnancy over the weekend!
The Faithful posted a sweet video of her bump on Instagram...
'Why this year's messy Traitors are the only ones I'm rooting for'
Wednesday 21 January 2026 14:30 , Rachel McGrathThe Faithfuls seem lovely but they’ve been outsmarted at every turn by this year’s Traitors. Which is why I’m backing Stephen and Rachel to win...
Why this year’s messy Traitors are the only ones I’m rooting for
