The Traitors winners Rachel Duffy and Stephen made history during a nail biting series final
Rachel Duffy, the victor of The Traitors, has finally spoken out about her triumph on the popular BBC programme and disclosed how co-winner Stephen moved her to tears. The champions appeared on the spin-off show Uncloaked to discuss their winning experience.
Upon rewatching their history-making victory, Rachel, who had been a Traitor alongside Stephen from the outset, confessed her anxiety during the process. She admitted, “It’s a lot more emotional than I remember.
“I wasn’t letting my nerves shine through, because I knew what I was going to do, but I wasn’t sure about Stephen. I was so nervous. Watching it back got me a bit. It made me cry.”
Stephen, on the other hand, revealed his uncertainty, adding, “Unlike Rachel, I didn’t know what I was going to do. And watching it back, I can see it in my face. I’ve got quite an expressive face.”
He and presenter Ed Gamble shared a laugh over Stephen’s now meme-worthy expressive face. Reflecting on the experience, Stephen stated: “Just watching it back, I’m so proud of the decision that I made for myself and for the game Rachel played,” reports the Mirror.
He later elaborated on his initial hesitation to save Rachel, despite their pact not to betray each other. “It’s so hard to trust someone in there whose job it is to lie. And it’s so hard to see how I could trust Rachel, but I’m so glad she was true to her word.”
The Traitors’ finale kicked off dramatically as Rachel and James went head-to-head in a game of chance. After receiving equal votes for banishment at the roundtable, each had to select a chest – whoever chose the one containing the shield would remain in the competition.
Faithful James was eliminated. However, when expressing gratitude to the others for keeping her safe, Traitor Rachel may have revealed her hand.
The Irish contestant remarked: “If I were a Faithful, I would have murdered me.”
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Though she swiftly amended this to “If I were a Traitor”, viewers spotted the slip-up and questioned whether Rachel would notice it herself. Rachel then turned her attention to Jade, attempting to persuade Faraaz that they should eliminate the younger contestant.
However, Faraaz remained unconvinced and confided in Jack that he actually wanted both Jade and Rachel removed.
Rachel and Stephen had previously agreed not to betray one another, though Stephen appeared to question this strategy early in the finale, contemplating whether turning on his fellow conspirator might have been wiser.
He confessed to camera that had he done so, “knowing how people feel about me” he would have made it to the end. He later admitted: “Defending Rachel could spell the end of my game.”
Fortunately for Rachel, Stephen honoured their agreement and eliminated Jade first, before joining Rachel in voting out Faraaz and Jack. By maintaining their loyalty to each other, Stephen and Rachel became the programme’s first traitors to claim victory together.
The Traitors is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
