The Traitors series 4 final becomes most watched civilian episode EVER

Following four series and an iconic celebrity edition, it's safe to say The Traitors is one of the biggest TV shows around at the moment — so it's no surprise 9.6 million people tuned in for the explosive final episode of series 4 on Friday (23rd January).

After a record-breaking Celebrity edition of The Traitors late last year, fans who had previously never watched the civilian version had their heads turned when the fourth series hit screens on New Years Day 2026.

And now, as the winners have finally been crowned, here's everything that happened throughout the series earlier this month — including the exposure of the Red Cloaked Traitor, a secret couple, a huge fallout and a MAJOR cliffhanger in the penultimate episode...

When did it start?

Series four of The Traitors kicked off on New Year's Day (1st January 2026), and was followed by episodes on 2nd and 3rd January. It then aired on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays throughout January.

What is the red cloak twist?

In the first episode on 1st January, it was revealed the Red Cloaked Traitor would be kept hidden from the public — although this changed on 7th January when all was revealed in an explosive episode. After three Traitors were chosen during the first episode, Claudia selected an additional Traitor that would be calling some of the shots.

She then visited the Traitors turret to tell them they could only choose to murder from a select few, chosen by the secret Red Cloaked Traitor. And they wouldn't know who it was either!

After one Traitor was banished in episode 3, the remaining two completed a task to regain their power, and the Red Cloaked Traitor later joined them in the turret.

Who were the Traitors?

The Traitors chosen for series four were... Stephen, Rachel and Hugo — although Hugo was caught out in episode three and banished at the round table.

There was also a secret FOURTH Traitor chosen, whose identity was hidden from the public AND the Traitors themselves until episode 4, when it was revealed Welshwoman Fiona would also be joining them in the Traitor's turret.

Fiona's reign was short though, being banished at the round table just two episodes later, after a huge fallout which saw her accuse fellow traitor Rachel of lying!

Who was the Red Cloaked Traitor?

It was revealed in episode 4 that the secret Red Cloaked Traitor was 62-year-old Welshwoman Fiona. Stephen was visibly shocked and said she'd been playing "a very, very good game."

Who were the contestants?

22 strangers took part in the fourth series of The Traitors. They were as follows:

Although some of them are not strictly strangers... it was revealed in the first episode that Judy and Roxy are in fact mother and daughter — and they kept that information under wraps, even when Judy was banished in the second episode!

They're not the only pair to have a connection in the outside world. Ross and Ellie revealed in episode 4 (although not to the contestants) that they're actually a couple! It's lead many to believe a wild theory that EVERY contestant on this year's The Traitors has a connection to another.

Who got to speak to the Traitors?

During a challenge on Friday 9th December, three contestants won the chance to speak to the traitors and ask two questions. Matthew sent viewers wild by asking them to murder Jessie and then recruit him! Meanwhile Harriet's questions turned out to be more of her stating beyond doubt that Rachel was in the confessional! Harriet also revealed her true past as a Criminal Barrister and current job as a published crime author.

It was looking like this could be the end for Traitor Rachel, however following a loud confrontation at breakfast, it left the Faithfuls more suspicious of Harriet than Rachel. During the round table later that evening, it became clear that Rachel would not be leaving, so Harriet instead insisted her own name was put down so she could state she was a faithful and then told them to look at "Rachel, Roxy and Matty" when she left.

Harriet was voted out, leaving Stephen and Rachel with a choice to recruit or murder. They opted to murder again, with Adam getting the chop in episode seven.

When was the final?

The final of The Traitors series 4 aired on Friday 23rd January.

How many people watched the final?

An impressive 9.6 million people tuned in on Friday 23rd January to watch the series 4 final, with more catching up on iPlayer afterwards. It's the biggest EVER audience for a civilian version of the show.

Who was in the final?

Six contestants were still in at the beginning of the final episode. Faithfuls Jack, James, Jade and Faraaz and Traitors Rachel and Stephen.

At the beginning of the last episode, James was banished, after picking an empty Chest of Chance, while Jade was banished at a second round table later in the episode. That left just Jack, Faraaz, Rachel and Stephen in the the Grand Finale.

At the round table in Episode 8, we saw Ellie go home after Traitor Rachel led the contestants in a vote to banish her. While Faithful Jessie got the chop, after coming very close to exposing Stephen.

In episode 10, the Traitors successfully managed to point the finger at Matthew, after choosing his biggest accuser, James, to receive a double vote. Faithful Matthew was later banished at the round table.

Who got the ceremonial dagger?

In a never-seen-before twist, Claudia told contestants in Friday 16th January's episode that the Traitors would be able to choose one person to hand a 'ceremonial dagger' to. That person would get TWO votes at the next round table.

Surprisingly, in Wednesday 21st's episode, it was revealed Faithful James was handed that power — and he used it to present Matthew with TWO votes at the round table banishment.

It was a clever move from the Traitors, as the Faithfuls then grew suspicious of James himself.

Who was banished?

Despite incorrectly banishing a Faithful in the second episode, the contestants had early success, banishing a Traitor in their second attempt at the round table.

Episode 2: Judy (Faithful)

Episode 3: Hugo (Traitor)

Episode 4: Ross (Faithful)

Episode 5: Amanda (Faithful)

Episode 6: Fiona (Traitor)

Episode 7: Harriet (Faithful)

Episode 8: Sam (Faithful)

Episode 9: Ellie (Faithful)

Episode 10: Matthew (Faithful)

Episode 11: James (Faithful) and Jade (Faithful)

Who was 'murdered'?

After being given a shortlist by the Red Cloaked Traitor, the Traitors in the turret chose to murder Netty and Ben in the first few episodes, hoping the Faithfuls would point the finger at Ross. It worked, and Ross was banished in Episode 4.

Episode 2: Netty

Episode 3: Ben

Episode 5: Maz

Episode 6: Reece

Episode 7: Adam

Episode 9: Jessie

Episode 10: Roxy

Who hosted?

Claudia Winkleman returned once again to host the fourth series.

How many episodes?

Series four had 12 episodes, running from 1st-23rd January 2026.

When was the fourth series announced?

Announcing the news on Thursday 22nd August 2024 at the Edinburgh TV Festival, BBC bosses confirmed The Traitors series four has been commissioned.

Also confirming news of the hugely-antipcated celeb series, Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, said: “The Traitors has well and truly established itself as an unmissable highlight of the year and the news of a fourth outing, alongside a brand new celebrity version coming to the BBC, will take the series to a whole new level. It will once again be fascinating for our audiences to see who’ll outwit, outplay, and outlast. Let the mind games begin!"

Mike Cotton, Creative Director Unscripted at Studio Lambert and Executive Producer for The Traitors, added: “We are thrilled to be inviting some celebrities into our castle to come and play the game. Seeing famous faces navigate the round table or don the infamous green cloaks will be unmissable TV, and what a double treat for the fans with Series 4 also confirmed too. There's a whole lot of exciting treachery and deception yet to come from the Highlands… Claudia’s going to have to pack some extra knitwear.”

Is there trailer?

The first official trailer for the fourth series landed on Saturday 13th December, featuring The Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr. In the trailer, Alan walks through a dark corridor wearing the iconic green robe and holding a lantern.

Picking up a note, Alan then gives a stern warning to the new participants, saying: "Dear new traitors look after the place won't you? Because you'll never guess what Claudia's got planned this time. It's big. Good luck, you're definitely gonna need it."

The trailer then ends with Alan signing his name and sealing it with a red wax stamp. before he walks off doing his famous cackle.

Then, on Friday 19th December, another teaser trailer was released, this time with host Claudia Winkleman. The caption read: ''Sleep well... if you can😈 #Traitors #ClaudiaWinkleman 'Watch #TheTraitors from 8pm on New Year’s Day 'Get them before they get you. 22 strangers, one castle, £120k - Claudia Winkleman hosts the ultimate reality game of trust and treachery. Let the mind games begin'.

A third trailer then landed on Christmas Day, which unveiled a mysterious Red Cloak figure for the first time in the show's history. After Claudia said: "Have yourself a merry little Christmas… I'm joking," the red-cloaked Traitor then put down the lantern, before facing the camera and putting their finger to their lips.

When was filming?

Filming for the fourth series took place at Ardross Castle in Scotland across four weeks in June 2025.

What channel was it on?

Series four of The Traitors aired on BBC One and is now available to catch up BBC iPlayer.

What was the prize?

The prize pot for series four could have been up to a total of £120K! But the contestants managed to bank a cool £95,750 of it.

Do they stay at the castle?

No! It's actually been revealed contestants stay at The Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Inverness — which Celebrity Traitor Jonathan Ross called a 'very nice hotel'.

Find out more about what goes on when the cameras stop rolling here.

Can I apply?

Applications for the fourth series opened on 22nd August 2024, but they closed on 28th March 2025.

However, applications for series five are now open! You can apply right here.

How can I watch the old series?

Series one, two and three of The Traitors are also available on BBC iPlayer now, with a number of International versions also available to stream.

Series one of The Celebrity Traitors is also available to stream now.

Check out all of the other TV shows you can apply to be on:

Now read:

Everything you need to know about The Traitors

The Traitors: Ireland is on BBC iPlayer now

All of the famous faces we'd love to see on The Celebrity Traitors series 2

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