Fans of The Traitors were left shocked by Fiona’s comments on Thursday’s episode (January 8), with some viewers describing the drama as one of the best moments in the show’s history.
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Season four of the BBC show began on January 1, with host Claudia Winkleman announcing a twist – the addition of a Secret Traitor, whose identity would be kept a secret from both the viewers and their fellow contestants.
In episode four, which aired the day before, the Secret Traitor’s identity was revealed as 62-year-old local government officer Fiona after Traitors Stephen and Rachel completed a challenge to uncover her identity.
Some fans were annoyed that her identity was revealed so early into the season, but the decision led to plenty of drama as Fiona turned her back on Rachel in the following episode.
Hang it in the Louvre. #TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUK pic.twitter.com/zWmvNPtVjg
— Wando (@Wandoful) January 8, 2026
It began after Amanda was banished following a tie-break roundtable. Amanda had told Rachel earlier that she was a retired police detective, and when Rachel told the rest of the castle, Fiona accused her of lying. She also told them that she believed Rachel was a Traitor, with her comments shocking the other contestants.
“The castle’s descended into craziness,” said Stephen, while Roxy said she was “shooketh” and added: “Fiona, I did not see this coming whatsoever.”
Fiona also told the cameras that she didn’t feel Rachel was a “team player” and hadn’t defended herself or Stephen. The episode ended in a cliffhanger with the two face-to-face in the turret, where they meet to murder a Faithful each night.
In response, TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan joked that Fiona was “starting a nuclear war for no reason”, while some viewers claimed the episode would go down among the most dramatic moments in reality TV history.
Fiona starting a nuclear war for no reason #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/CUebvcMCUB
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) January 8, 2026
“Should win every Oscar, BAFTA and Nobel Prize. Possibly the best moment I’ve ever seen on television. Haven’t breathed since,” said one, while another said: “This betrayal in front of the whole castle is phenomenal, Fiona you are a different breed.”
Should win every Oscar, BAFTA and Nobel Prize.
Possibly the best moment I’ve ever seen on television.
Haven’t breathed since.#thetraitors pic.twitter.com/aXUNR0Du5c
— SHANE REACTION (@imshanereaction) January 8, 2026
this betrayal in front of the whole castle is PHENOMENAL, FIONA YOU ARE A DIFFERENT BREED #TheTraitorsUK pic.twitter.com/KZQZ5axpd5
— Vic (@adeshewa_vic) January 8, 2026
One viewer opined: “Fiona isn’t some fun wee nan. She is a backstabber who is actually a really bad traitor. Unpredictable and doesn’t know how to play the game. She’s just angry that Amanda didn’t tell her.”
Another wrote: “As great a moment as that was on the UK Traitors for the drama, Fiona is genuinely a pathetic little child throwing a tantrum because she saw someone as her best friend, but they didn’t see her as one so told someone else their secret.”
Fiona isn’t some fun wee nan. She is a back stabber who is actually a really bad traitor. Unpredictable and doesn’t know how to play the game. Shes just angry that Amanda didn’t tell her #thetraitors
— Leanne Steele (@themightygoose1) January 8, 2026
As great a moment as that was on the UK Traitors for the drama, Fiona is genuinely a pathetic little child throwing a tantrum because she saw someone as her best friend, but they didn’t see her as one so told someone else their secret.
— Emperor Craig (@Schmiznurf) January 9, 2026
At the time of writing, the only Traitor to have been banished by the Faithfuls is Hugo – Fiona, Rachel and Stephen all remain. As well as Amanda, Faithfuls Judy and Ross have been banished, while Netty, Ben and Maz have all been murdered.
The Traitors continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8pm on Friday (January 9).
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