The fourth series of The Traitors has concluded with a groundbreaking victory for Rachel and Stephen, who have become the first traitor partnership to successfully claim the prize money together. Their win, however, came at a significant emotional cost, requiring heartfelt apologies to three key players they betrayed along the way.
Historic Victory for Traitor Duo
Rachel and Stephen have rewritten the rulebook of the popular BBC reality competition by becoming the first two traitors to maintain their alliance through to the final and share the £95,750 prize. This represents a monumental achievement in the show's history, with Rachel becoming the first female traitor to win and Stephen the first LGBTQ+ traitor champion.
Their partnership defied the game's fundamental premise that eventually pits every player against each other. Even when Stephen faced the opportunity to betray Rachel and claim the entire prize fund for himself, he remained loyal to their pact, resulting in both leaving the Scottish castle approximately £48,000 richer.
The Cost of Victory
Winning as traitors inevitably requires sacrifice, and both Rachel and Stephen found themselves having to eliminate their closest allies to secure their position. These betrayals led to difficult post-filming conversations as they sought to mend fractured relationships.
Rachel faced particularly challenging moments during the competition, weathering accusations from fellow traitor Fiona and a personal confrontation from crime writer Harriet at the breakfast table. The latter incident created especially uncomfortable viewing for audiences.
Rebuilding Relationships After the Game
Following their victory, Rachel revealed she had reconciled with Harriet during a weekend trip to Ireland. "We reached out to each other, and we were like, 'You know, we actually do like each other in real life,'" Rachel explained. "We sat and picked apart the confessional, we talked about it all. That was probably the one I was worried about, but she's amazing."
Stephen faced similar challenges with his closest friends in the game, Jack and Jade, whom he brought to the final only to banish them unexpectedly. "Jack and Jade were who I was probably the closest with in there, and [who I] had to probably be the most ruthless with in that final episode – it was rough," Stephen admitted.
He hosted Jack and his fiancée at his home, preparing homemade pasta as part of their reconciliation process. "Afterwards, we did have conversations where they were just saying, 'We just felt let down.' Those are absolutely valid feelings," Stephen acknowledged.
A Partnership Forged in Isolation
Both winners credit their success to their unwavering partnership throughout the competition. "We couldn't have done it without each other," Rachel emphasised. Stephen described the traitor experience as "quite isolating," making their alliance particularly valuable.
Their bond developed from their first meeting, when Rachel broke the ice by revealing she was a foot model. "For her to break the ice in that manner, I just thought, 'Okay, we're gonna have some good craic me and her,'" Stephen recalled.
Alternative Strategies Revealed
Had their partnership fractured, both winners revealed their alternative recruitment strategies. Rachel would have chosen Matty, appreciating his strategic mind and inquisitive nature. Stephen, however, expressed reservations about Matty's gameplay, stating he would have selected someone less strategically threatening.
Stephen addressed concerns that his friendship with Jack might have been fabricated for the game, revealing that Jack had shared diary entries demonstrating the genuine nature of their connection.
Looking to the Future
With filming having concluded last summer, Rachel and Stephen have maintained their secret victory for months, relying only on each other and their partners for support. Their unique bond has only strengthened since leaving the competition.
Regarding their prize money, both have thoughtful plans focused on family. Rachel intends to consult her family about how to use the funds, particularly wanting to treat her mother and children. Stephen plans to reward his support network with a holiday, acknowledging the emotional strain they've endured during his Traitors journey.
The groundbreaking series finale has been praised by fans as one of the most compelling in the show's history, demonstrating that loyalty and partnership can triumph even in a game designed to foster betrayal.
