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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Claudia Winkleman sends simple message as viewers 'need to cancel Christmas' after BBC The Traitors final

Claudia Winkleman had a simple message to share as viewers of The Traitors reeled from the final episode of the series. The reality/challenge series has had fans hooked for weeks but on Thursday night (December 22) the 12th and final episode aired with the winners finally revealed.

The series, hosted by Strictly star Claudia, saw 22 contestants having to decide who they can trust while residing in a grand Scottish castle amid lies and betrayal from their fellow competitors.

That's because a small group of the participants were secretly selected by Claudia to be 'traitors', after which the remaining 'faithfuls' would be eliminated by being ‘murdered’ by the traitors. Meanwhile, the traitors could be ‘banished’ if they were successfully outed as a traitor by a faithful.

READ MORE: Christmas 2022 TV guide for BBC, ITV and Channel 4 including Strictly, Call the Midwife and Doc Martin and what time they're on

The last episode of the first-ever series of The Traitors saw the final four – Faithfuls Meryl, Hannah and Aaron and Traitors Kieran and Wilfred – try to suss each other out once and for all ahead of the most important vote of the competition. The finale saw the group working together to take the total prize money fund to over £101,000.

However, it came with the knowledge that if any Traitors remained at the end of the game, they would take all of the winners fund home with them. In dramatic scenes, the final Round Table discussion came after one last banishment which saw Kieran voted out of the competition before giving his vote to Wilf as 'a parting gift' to the others.

It was a dramatic final of The Traitors (PA)

After which, a desperate Wilf tried to throw the Faithfuls off the scent of his deceit. But as the remaining four were asked whether they wanted to end the game or banish again, both Hannah and Aaron voted to banish, with Wilf then having to reveal himself to be a Traitor after Aaron, Hannah and Meryl voted for him to be banished.

That left Faithfuls Aaron, Hannah and Meryl and when asked again if they wanted to end the game or go through another banishment, they all decided to end the game, bagging the prize money.

Following the end of the series, Claudia took to Instagram with a photo of herself and the final five, simply writing: " Thank you so much for watching." But her celebrity pals and followers were quick to respond as they reacted to the end of the series.

The 'Faithfuls' won the first series of The Traitors (PA)

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies replied: " The greatest finale of anything ever. Apocalyptic. Thank you!" Great British Bake Off winner and 2021 Strictly star John Whaite said: " I NEED TO CANCEL CHRISTMAS. I'm not ok." New Strictly professional Carlos Gu commented: " I'm not over yet!!! More to come plz."

@katiefraggle17 commented: "Best thing on TV in ages! So close Wilf and such a fab game played but was so glad the faithfuls won in the end. Need a reunion programme now." @katiegisme posted: "Brilliant show. Lots of shouting at the TV. The one person who changed the course of the game got nothing apart from walking away with dignity. Cracking programme."

@2legs1kidney shared: "Kieran is a genius! My heart could not cope with the tension! Bravo all, very well done." @penrosecathy typed: "Oh come all ye faithfuls! Great ending! Hope they all give Will some of their winnings, he was the best player and Claudia you are the BEST Queen of the castle." @kates_place2022 added: "Will there be a reunion??? I need to know thoughts and feelings... bring on season 2."

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