Summary

  • Beware! Spoilers below

  • The Traitors reaches a dramatic conclusion, as faithfuls Jake and Leanne win - splitting the prize pot of £94,600 between them

  • Get involved: Send us your reactions - WhatsApp us on 0330 123 9480

  1. Get involved: How are you watching The Traitors final?published at 19:55 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    We were meant to be on a flight to Australia right now, but sadly our connecting flight was cancelled. This means we get to watch The Traitors final the same time as everyone else and not wait two weeks to watch it, so swings and roundabouts!

    Dora and Ben, Premier Inn Gatwick Airport 😅

    Not even a power-cut was going to stop us watching Traitors tonight. Ventured out to the in laws nearby and ready to watch the finale from East Lothian.

    Fiona and Kate

    I’m watching based overseas with the Military; I don’t watch tv normally - but Traitors always has me hooked! Tuning in GMT+3, so need to stay up late!!!

    Anon

    Get in touch via WhatsApp on 03301239480 - please include your names and where you're watching from; however you've decided to tune in

  2. Opium, weddings and Worcestershire sauce: The history of The Traitor's castlepublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    A black and white picture of Ardross CastleImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The recognisable Andross Castle, pictured back in 1960

    Both the UK and US versions of The Traitors are set at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

    It’s a 19th century castle set over 100 acres of land, just north of Inverness.

    The property was built more than 170 years ago in a Scottish baronial style, a type of elaborate architecture featuring complex rooflines with turrets and fortress-like battlements.

    The 1st Duke of Sutherland bought Ardross in the late 1700s, and the 2nd Duke sold the estate to the nephew of a tea and opium merchant - Sir Alexander Matheson.

    After Sir Alexander's death, the country house and its estate was sold to businessman and philanthropist Charles William Dyson Perrins.

    His grandfather William Perrins, in partnership with John Wheeley Lea, created the recipe for Worcestershire Sauce. The Perrins family was also involved in the production of Royal Worcester porcelain.

    Fast-forward to today and the castle - while not run as a hotel - is available as a wedding venue.

  3. Your opinion: Who do you think will win?published at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    I have a feeling that Charlotte is going to go ALL the way! She’s going to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.

    James, Derbyshire

    I can’t wait for the Traitors finale. Going to be watching with my family and I can’t wait to see whether Charlotte or Frankie will emerge victorious. It’s definitely one’s word against the others. I started this season wanting the Traitors to win, but now I really don’t know, but I think Leanne won’t trust Charlotte and she’ll get voted off

    Anon

    Traitors prediction - Leanne and Jake make it to the end and share the money.

    Kate, Manchester

    Get in touch via WhatsApp on 03301239480 - please include your names and where you're watching from.

  4. How to sound like an expert if you've not seen The Traitorspublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Murray Burnell
    Live reporter, would probably be voted 'most irrelevant'

    If you've never seen The Traitors but you've been roped into a watch party with your friends, let's get you up to speed:

    • It all began with 25 contestants, but only 22 made it to the castle. Three players were told to leave the train. Three traitors were chosen – Armani, Linda and Minah
    • Four faithfuls exited the game before the first traitor, Armani, was caught. Her sister, Maia was then murdered by the remaining two traitors
    • Remember the three people who left the train? They came back, but with a twist. Alexander, Jack and Fozia had the chance to return to the game; but Jack was left stranded. Four people were sent for a "Death Match" that saw Fozia be dealt an unlucky hand, and she was murdered face-to-face by the traitors
    • Five more faithfuls left the game as the traitors took control, before Linda became the second traitor to be banished. Charlotte was recruited as a traitor and formed a new sisterhood with Minah, but it didn’t last long. Charlotte turned on Minah in Episode 10 and the original traitor was banished
    • For last night's episode we have a detailed recap, so if you have no idea what "the Seer" is, you should have a quick read
  5. This feels like a national holiday - former faithful Dianepublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Diane Carson holding a glass of fizzy rosé

    Fizzy rosé in hand, season two faithful contestant Diane Carson says The Traitors is a "true experiment of human nature", calling season three "absolutely fantastic TV".

    "This whole season feels like a national holiday, I love how much it brings people together," she tells the BBC on our livestream - press watch live above to follow along.

    Contestants form "very genuine relationships", Diane says, having organised to go to dinner with fellow season two contestant Evie this evening.

    Prediction: Faithfuls to win and share the money.

  6. Three pieces of advice, from a former traitorpublished at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Paul
    Traitor, Series 2

    1. Always be in the room with the most people. The episode I got banished, I sat with one person trying to convince him I was faithful because I thought I had the rest of the group. It only takes a faithful to tell a lie and you're done for.
    2. Lie about yourself. Be characters. Do not tell anybody anything about what you do, how clever you are, or your hobby. It was my birthday in episode one of season two, and I didn’t tell anyone. That’s the level you’ve got to hide.
    3. Say you’re overwhelmed. The only thing you should say is that you feel overwhelmed, you don’t know what’s going on, you find it really hard to read people - and maybe do an accent.
  7. Get involved: How excited are you?!published at 19:38 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    We're buzzing in the newsroom ahead of tonight's final - and so are you. Get in touch via WhatsApp on 033 0123 9480:

    Loving the BBC News special of the Traitors. Building the suspense with some fizzy rose!

    Anon

    So excited for tonight’s finale!

    Beth and George⚔️

    Hi everyone, do you think I should let my son stay up late to watch the final? Love the show

    Chris and Theo watching past bedtime!

    Please include your names and where you're watching from (and yes, let him stay up!)

  8. get involved

    Tell us your highlights and predictionspublished at 19:34 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Rachel Flynn
    Live reporter, and most likely a nervous faithful

    Claudia Winkleman in black cloak with a lamp on table in front of her in an outdoor setting with wall, grass and trees behind herImage source, BBC/Studio Lambert

    I think I'll be mimicking Linda’s: “You don’t have to be a sailor to know you have to tie a rope, sorry” for the foreseeable.

    But with a series jam packed with memorable moments, we want to hear what your highlights have been.

    A juicy round table? Alexander singing nonsense outside a doll's house? Or something else altogether - we'd love to hear what caught your attention.

    Send in your favourite moments via WhatsApp 03301239480 for a chance to feature on our live page.

  9. The Claudia cake with an 'offbeat aura'published at 19:27 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Simran Sohal
    BBC News

    Caricature-style cake of Claudia WinklemanImage source, PA Media

    An amateur baker from north-west London has made a frankly iconic caricature cake of Claudia Winkleman, which has gone viral on social media.

    Complete with Tic Tacs for teeth and black icing for the famous fringe, the cake was made by Keith Scovell, 55, from Kentish Town.

    The HR consultant said he enjoys seeing "people smile and laughing" and loves cakes with "auras" that look "offbeat".

    "I love Claudia, by the way, and I love The Traitors; I can't get enough of it," he said.

    Stunning, a 10/10 from us.

  10. Watch: This season's most iconic moments - in 96 secondspublished at 19:23 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    From Linda's Oscar-winning acting to some unbelievably bad spelling - take a look at this season's best bits:

  11. Who do past contestants think will win?published at 19:22 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Sam Chadderton
    Live reporter, 100% traitor

    On Thursday’s bonus podcast episode of The Traitors: Uncloaked, host Ed Gamble asked his guests to make their predictions for tonight’s final.

    Three of his guests - Wilf from Series 1, Diane from Series 2 and Series 2 winner, Harry, revisited their earlier predictions for this year's winner:

    Wilf from Series 1

    • Then: Traitors victory - Freddie to win
    • Now: Faithful victory - Jake and Frankie to share

    Diane from Series 2

    • Then: Faithful victory - Alex to win
    • New: Faithful victory - Alexander and Frankie share

    Harry from Series 2

    • Then: Traitor victory - Leanne to win
    • Now: Faithful victory - Alexander and Frankie to share

    What do you think? Let us know your predictions via WhatsApp: 033 0123 9480

  12. The penultimate episode in a nutshellpublished at 19:16 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Charlotte poking one of the golden balloons in front of 11 clownsImage source, BBC/Studio Lambert

    Breakfast: The day began with faithful Leanne arriving at breakfast, despite an attempted murder from traitors Freddie and Charlotte the night before. Charlotte threw Freddie under the bus choosing this murder, as she knew Leanne had a shield.

    Mission: The contestant who earned the most money in the series of mini challenges had the chance to become the Seer - a power to discover the true identity of one contestant. Alexander gave the money he collected to Frankie and another £9,100 was added to the prize pot.

    Roundtable: Leanne accused Freddie and Alexander of trying to murder her, but Freddie said it couldn't have been him because he knew Leanne had a shield. He said Minah implied that Leanne had won the shield at the bar the night before. Frankie remembers that Minah wasn't at the bar, as she had been banished. Freddie says Charlotte has "gone under the radar" and could be a traitor, before voting for her.

    Freddie gets the most votes, and reveals he's a traitor before leaving the game.

    The Seer: Frankie chooses to discover whether Charlotte is a faithful or a traitor, with the episode ending on a nail-biting cliff-hanger.

  13. Countdown to the final - watch livepublished at 19:08 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January
    Breaking

    If you can't wait another hour and a half for the drama to start, our colleagues are catching up with former The Traitors stars Diane Carson, Andrew Jenkins, Jazz Boatswain and Jaz Singh in a livestream - that's starting now.

    Just press Watch live at the top of the page, for all the pre-show analysis and a trip to a sold-out Traitors watch-party.

    Have a prediction for who is going to win? Get in touch via WhatsApp on 03301239480.

  14. Who is left in the game?published at 19:03 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Let's take a moment to see who the final five are.

    Just weeks ago, there were 25 contestants. Now, only five remain. Four faithfuls - Alexander, Frankie, Jake and Leanne. And one traitor, Charlotte.

    Photos in frames of the 25 season three contestants, with red crosses over those who have left the show
  15. A golden cloak for Linda's performance of a lifetimepublished at 18:52 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Linda looking shocked in front of the billboard in central London

    "You don't have to be a sailor to know how to tie a rope, sorry!" Linda's iconic quote from this year's round table cemented her status of one of this year's most notable characters.

    Starting out in the sisterhood of the traitors, it quickly became apparent that Linda was trying to act as a faithul.

    So much so, that she was given a mock award on a billboard in central London following her performance in the show.

    The retired opera singer took advantage of her time in the spotlight, and went down to the billboard above the Vue Cinema in Leicester Square, and captured her reaction to the glowing accolade.

  16. 'Father Brown can do it, so why can't I?': Reverend Lisa's time on the show as a mystery-solving priestpublished at 18:34 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Linda Coupland in a blazer, scarf and white priest's collar, smiling at the camera with superimposed Scottish landscape and castle behind herImage source, BBC/Studio Lambert

    Reverend Lisa Coupland, 62, from Truro in Cornwall - who you'll remember for her donning of the dog collar mid-way through the series after sharing her true identity as an Anglican priest - has shared her experience with the BBC.

    She said it was "quite a strange experience" to keep her faith "under wraps".

    "I like to think about it more as going undercover rather than actually lying - I mean, [crime-solving TV priest] Father Brown can do it, so why can't I?", she said.

    Talking to BBC Radio Cornwall, she said playing the game was "relentless", adding: "Your brain is being pulled in so many different directions.

    "You're looking at people for the slightest nuance and changes in their behaviour.

    "Mentally, it's exhausting because all the time you're trying to work things out."

  17. Is a Welsh accent really more trustworthy?published at 18:26 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Charlie Buckland
    BBC News

    Media caption,

    The Traitors: Can a Welsh accent help London-born Charlotte win?

    It's been a key question on a lot of lips this series - why is Charlotte pretending to be Welsh?

    The 33-year-old from London decided that during the show she will pretend she is from Abergavenny, in Monmouthshire, to maximise her chances of survival.

    In episode one, she explained her logic: "I've been putting on a Welsh accent because my mum's from Wales, it's one of the most trustworthy accents."

    But is a Welsh lilt really the key to gaining people's trust as a faithful in the show - and perhaps in life in general?

    Dr Mercedes Durham, a sociolinguistics professor at Cardiff University, led research into the likeability of the Welsh accent and found people associate the accent with being friendly - but not necessarily clever.

    "They genuinely appreciated it, they find it funny, attractive and friendly, but they didn't take it seriously or associate it with intelligence," says Dr Durham.

    But friendliness and trustworthiness are linked, says Dr Durham, so there could be a method behind the mask.

    Despite viewers' scepticism of her fib from the start, Charlotte is still a contender in this year's final - and stands as the only traitor in the game, so maybe there is some credit to her theory?

  18. Traitors and faithfuls gather round - it's time for the finalpublished at 18:12 Greenwich Mean Time 24 January

    Rachel Flynn
    Live reporter, and most likely a nervous faithful

    The 2024 cast of The Traitors, and Claudia Winkleman, in front of the castleImage source, BBC/PA

    In the final episode of The Traitors, we'll find out if the four remaining faithfuls can outsmart the lone traitor, and we'll be covering every twist and turn from our London newsroom.

    Though we may not be wearing red leather fingerless gloves, or have our cloaks on, we'll be sharing thoughts from The Traitors cast - past and present - and will remind you of the finalists' journeys.

    Culture reporter Yasmin Rufo has spent the past week finding out secrets from the behind the scenes of the show - including what the "perfect traitor fuel" is.

    Season two contestants Diane Carson, Andrew Jenkins, Jazz Boatswain and Jaz Singh are joining our colleagues from 19:00 GMT, which you can watch live at the top of this page.

    You can also share your thoughts and opinions on this year's series, as well as your predictions of who will take home the prize money. Stay with us and get involved.