BBC The Traitors fans fume as they blame 'heavy edits' for last-minute Traitor U-turn: 'Out of nowhere!'

Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 22/01/2026

- 11:03

The latest episode saw the Traitors doubting their loyalty to each other

As The Traitors final edges closer, viewers of the BBC series are becoming more observant than ever, and some fans have accused the programme of using edits to give away or fabricate the ultimate result.

Following Wednesday's instalment, the first visit to the Scottish castle of the week, Traitors Rachel Duffy and Stephen Libby felt the pressure piling on as the Faithfuls have started to suspect everyone - and their bombshell discussion at the end of the episode has left some unconvinced.


The two Traitors made a pact early in the series never to vote each other out at the Round Tables, with the pair vowing to win the prize money together.

So far, both have remained loyal to their promise, not having to re-visit the agreement.

Stephen and Rachel

BBC The Traitors: Stephen and Rachel made a pact early on in the series

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BBC

However, at the end of Wednesday's episode, the two met in the turret as usual to decide who of the Faithful would be their next "murder" victim, and seemingly out of nowhere, Ms Duffy appeared to cast doubt over their alliance.

It came after Faithful Faraaz Noor aired his suspicions about Ms Duffy following the Round Table.

"I was questioned for the first time properly tonight. Faraaz just said, 'I think I'm suspicious of you,'" Ms Duffy shared.

"Faraaz came to us, first of all, in the library to talk about you," Mr Libby revealed, adding: "I think I need to remove the emotion from this, because it's starting to really get to me."

Stephen Libby

BBC The Traitors: Rachel's apparent warning left Stephen concerned

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BBC

After deciding on their "murder" victim, Mr Libby commented: "I just need to know that we're going to make it to the end."

Touching on their pact, Ms Duffy replied: "I've made one promise since I've got here and I've told you I'm not breaking it.

"Please remember, nobody can stick up for one another at this point. And if you hear anybody repeat that I'm talking about you, it's because I have to, to protect our alliance."

Speaking privately to the cameras later, it was clear his fellow Traitor's comment had left Mr Libby concerned.

Rachel Duffy

BBC The Traitors: Some fans suspect the show's edits are throwing viewers off

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BBC

"Right now, I'm worried," he admitted. "Maybe I've been blind because I had been actively not discussing Rachel if anyone ever brought her up.

"She might not necessarily write my name on her slate, but that doesn't stop her sowing seeds of doubt against me.

"If I did find out that she was going against me behind my back, then game on."

Fans weren't entirely convinced by the implication that the two would be turning against each other, though.

Taking to forum site Reddit, one viewer wrote: "Have the editors shown the plan a bit? I think that showing the conversation where Rachel admits she'll turn on Stephen if needed was revealing a bit to us as the audience."

One penned: "She's made a mistake by saying that to Stephen, as it's now clear her promise of sticking together doesn't mean a thing. I slightly wonder if Stephen has convinced Rachel to murder Faraaz to play his own game and lead to this."

Suspecting the show's edits of deceiving the viewers, another theorised: "Genuinely, I think that ending was so heavily edited to add some extra tension into the Traitors' strong alliance.

"What Rachel said made a lot of sense and seemed pretty honest and sincere, and I think the stuff Stephen was saying in his diary room bits were all responses to questions of 'what if Rachel does go behind your back?' But it all just seemed to come out of nowhere."

Someone else agreed: "I could be wrong, as I really like their alliance and Stephen might genuinely have interpreted it in the wrong way, but it just immediately felt like an edited cliffhanger for me."

Someone else wrote: "Felt a lot to me just the editing to leave a question mark for the audience whether they will betray each other. In reality I don't think they will.

"There's only 2 episodes after all. Other conversations and interactions between the two suggests that they are genuinely wanting to get to the end together." (sic)