BBC fans have noticed that Stephen made a reference that could have given away his identity as a Traitor
Kimberly Nhundu Under 35s Screen Time reporter and Liam De Brun TV and Celebrity writer
21:56, 14 Jan 2026Updated 22:37, 14 Jan 2026
Viewers of The Traitors reckon Stephen might have slipped up in a fleeting moment during the latest BBC episode that’s easy to overlook.
Wednesday night’s (January 14) episode proved to be one of the most gripping yet. Audiences had been left waiting seven days to discover the outcome of Matt’s encounter with Traitors Stephen and Rachel.
Concealed within a confessions booth, the pair’s identities remained secret as Matt put forward his proposal: murder Jessie, forgo the next killing, and bring him into their fold in the turret.
Upon hearing Rachel and Stephen accept his terms, Matt said: “We have a new recruit. I wanted to be a traitor from the very beginning, so keep my cloak warm… Obviously I don’t know what I’m walking into, they could screw me over here. If you can’t beat them, join them.”
Harriet caused chaos in the opening minutes of the new episode of The Traitors(Image: BBC)
READ MORE: The Traitors favourite forced to leave BBC castle immediatelyREAD MORE: BBC The Traitors fans ‘work out’ next exit after Faithful’s huge blunder
Next to face the traitors was Harriet, who disclosed her background as a crime novelist and former criminal barrister. When asked whom they wished to recruit, Harriet learnt the choice lay between herself, Jessie or Sam, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“I think this answer is not worth the paper it was written on. If my voice is shaking it’s not through nerves, but through anger you have taken me for such a fool,” Harriet responded.
In a dramatic turn, Harriet declared her conviction that Rachel is a traitor and vowed not to stop until she’s exposed. Stephen reassured Rachel of his loyalty, yet scribbled down that he wouldn’t shield her and to ‘take her’ when Harriet questioned whether he’d sacrifice Rachel to save himself.
In another striking exchange, Harriet issued a warning: “I bet you killed me when you had the chance.”
At breakfast, Harriet revealed her actual profession to the other faithfuls before publicly confronting Rachel once more. This seemed to trigger division amongst those in the castle, with contestants split over whose account to believe.
Stephen accidentally referenced something Harriet said during her confessional (Image: BBC)
Concerned that Harriet had seen through him, Stephen sought her out in the kitchen hoping for some comfort. During their conversation, Stephen referenced her earlier warning about people defending Rachel at the roundtable.
Viewers rushed to X, formerly Twitter, to highlight that Stephen had muddled the details, inadvertently referencing their private conversation in the church rather than what occurred at the roundtable.
One person posted: “Did Stephen just tell Harriet what she said about protecting Rachel #TheTraitors.”
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.
Another remarked: “Has Stephen just done it again? Harriet said about protecting Rachel last night, not this morning! #TheTraitors.”
A different fan observed: “Ooops. I think Stephen might have just dropped his camouflage… He said to Harriet, ‘you said at the table to watch out for people protecting Rachel’. Oh Stephen. She didn’t say that at the table. SHE SAID IT AT THE CONFESSIONAL. #Traitors #TheTraitors.”
Another viewer questioned: “How Stephen has now got away scot free I will never know #TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUK.”
While a different show watcher added: “No but how has Stephen escaped this like?”
The Traitors is available to stream on BBC iPlayer