After weeks of deception, The Traitors came to an end on Friday night with an epic finale.
Helen Kelly Head of Screen Time
17:03, 24 Jan 2026Updated 17:03, 24 Jan 2026
The Traitors delivers shock for BBC as finale viewing figures revealed (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/Matt Burlem)
The fourth season of the hit BBC series came to an end as Claudia Winkleman finally revealed the winner of The Traitors.
Unsurprisingly, the final episode, which saw Stephen and Rachel win, brought in a record number of viewers.
According to overnight figures, 9.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the drama unfold.
The audience peaked at 9.6 million viewers making it the most-watched final of the show so far.
The season four finale actually amassed more than two million viewers compared to last year.
However, it didn’t manage to break the viewing record set by the Celebrity series, which was broadcast in 2025.
The final of The Traitors aired on Friday night (January 23) on BBC One(Image: Paul Chappells/Studio Lambert/BBC/PA Wire)
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC said: “The dramatic conclusion to series four of The Traitors, expertly produced by the brilliant team at Studio Lambert Scotland, proved exactly why this grippingly unmissable game continues to surprise, entertain and delight with over 9 million faithful viewers watching the nail-biting finale so far.
“Only the BBC can bring audiences all across the UK together for edge of the seat entertainment like this that every generation can enjoy.”
The final episode saw Claudia Winkleman break down in tears as Traitors Rachel and Stephen stuck together and won the series.
Speaking about winning a share of the prize money, Rachel shared: “It’s the best feeling in the world.
Stephen will use his share of the money to give back to his parents(Image: BBC)
“I really thought it was such a big achievement to be the first female traitor to make it to the final, and then to win. I think it will be a very long time until you get the smile off my face. I’m really looking forward to not having to lie.”
Her share of the money will be used to take her family on holiday and make memories with her mum, who has dementia.
Stephen said of his win: “I’m just a wee boy from the Isle of Lewis, this kind of stuff doesn’t happen to me.”
He will use his share of the money to give back to his parents after they “gave up a lot” to help him through university.
The Traitors is available to catch up on BBC iPlayer.
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