Traitors Champion Rachel Duffy Details Plans for £48,000 Prize Following Mother's Heartbreaking Death
Rachel Duffy, the triumphant winner of the BBC's hit murder mystery series The Traitors, has publicly disclosed her intentions for the substantial £48,000 prize money in the wake of her mother's recent and devastating passing. The 43-year-old contestant from Northern Ireland made history as the first female Traitor to secure victory, ultimately dividing the prize fund with her turret ally, Stephen Libby.
A Shift in Plans After Personal Tragedy
Initially, Rachel expressed her desire to utilize the prize money to fund a dream holiday with her mother, who had celebrated her 70th birthday in March. However, following her mother's death just days after her season four win, Rachel has now articulated a revised focus on forging lasting memories with her remaining family members.
'I'm going to make memories. I can't get to make them with mummy, but I'm going to make them with my family,' she emotionally shared in an interview with BBC News. 'I think being able to do nice things with them is an absolute blessing. So I think we're going to have a fun 2026.'
Public Announcement and Tributes
Rachel publicly announced her mother's passing towards the end of January via her Instagram Story, writing: 'We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beautiful wee mummy. We kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves during this difficult time.'
She had previously spoken on social media about her mother's inspirational battle with Parkinson's disease and dementia, stating: 'Mummy was just 47 when she was diagnosed with Parkinson's (four years older than I am now) and now faces dementia, but still amazes me and my family every single day. Everything she has done for me and my four siblings is nothing short of incredible.'
Support from Fellow Contestants
Following this heartbreaking loss, other stars from the BBC series rallied to offer messages of support. Fellow winner Stephen Libby and finalist Jade Scott were among those who expressed their condolences and solidarity with Rachel during this challenging period.
In earlier discussions with Metro, Rachel had revealed how excited her mother had been to see her participate as a Traitor on the show. Regarding her initial prize plans, she said: 'My first plan is just going to be sitting with my family and asking them, "What can we do?" I told my mum this morning, and it was the nicest thing, so the first thing will be to treat her and the kids.'
The Traitors, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, has captivated audiences with its psychological gameplay and dramatic twists. Rachel Duffy's victory and subsequent personal journey highlight the human stories behind the television spectacle, resonating deeply with viewers who have followed her emotional arc from competition to personal tragedy and resilience.
