*Warning: Contains spoilers for Series 3, Episode 1 of The Traitors*
The third series of The Traitors launched tonight with a whirlwind of unexpected turns. The first dramatic moment occurred just minutes into the premiere episode.
The BBC reality show is renowned for its shocking moments and unpredictability. Tonight (January 1), viewers witnessed one of the most brutal eviction twists in the show’s history as three contestants were evicted before the game even properly started.
Usually, viewers see a train transporting the cast to the beautiful Ardross Castle, but this year it stopped abruptly before reversing as the voice of show host Claudia Winkleman came over the tannoy. She announced that there were only 22 places on the show despite there being 25 passengers on board the train.
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In a cruel twist, the contestants had to decide amongst themselves on the three people that would have to end their The Traitors journey much earlier than expected, with £1,000 being deducted from their prize pot for each minute taken to reach a decision. This was just the first of many shocking moments that unfolded on the first episode, and later on, Claudia dropped another bombshell.
It was revealed that this year, there would be a significant change to the show’s grand finale. If you can’t see the poll, click here, reports the Mirror.
On this year’s Traitors series, contestants facing exile won’t be able to give their fellow players any hints about their role in the game. In a game-changing twist revealed by Claudia to the players, she said: “Those who make it to the final will no longer reveal their true identities as they leave, instead you will need to rely solely on your instinct as to whether any Traitors are left in the game. I’ll let that sink in.”
Starting off as Traitors this series are Minah, a 29 year old call centre manager, Armani, aged 27 and working as a financial investigator, and Linda, who at 70 is keeping the intrigue alive after having stirred suspicion for turning towards Claudia with a slip-up during the word “Traitors”.
Complicating the dynamic further is Armani, who’s in cahoots with her sister Maia, 25, on the show, and isn’t shying away from ‘murdering’ her kin for the win.