The fourth season of The Traitors UK comes to an end on Friday night after a dramatic few weeks in the Scottish Highlands

The Traitors: Hugo Lodge admits he ‘messed up’

A former Traitors star has opened up on the “worst day of my life” ahead of this year’s final. The fourth series of the BBC gameshow has been captivating audiences over recent weeks, as 22 contestants competed to claim up to £100,000. Two Traitors have already been banished, triggering a string of tense confrontations amongst the Faithfuls.

The tension escalated on Thursday (January 22) as the remaining contestants gathered for breakfast for the penultimate time. Roxy’s murder was then disclosed, with suspicion quickly falling upon Traitor Rachel. Following an uncomfortable remark in the turret, Rachel’s fellow conspirator Stephen started mentioning her name to the wider group. Rachel faced persistent questioning at the roundtable, with the Northern Irish contestant calmly presenting her defence.

However, she wasn’t the only person facing scrutiny as James’ outburst towards Matthew the previous evening also placed him in a precarious position. Following two divided votes, James and Rachel’s destinies were determined by chance, presenting viewers with an enormous cliffhanger immediately before the finale, reports the Daily Star.

The Traitors final is set to air on Friday (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/Matt Burlem)

Prior to tonight’s (Friday, January 23) eagerly awaited grand finale, previous winner Jake Brown and recruited contestant Freddie Fraser featured on BBC Breakfast. The duo discussed this year’s thrilling series with presenters Charlie Stayt and Sarah Campbell, whilst considering their own journey.

Traitors fans will recall that Freddie was recruited by Charlotte Berman in episode ten last year, but swiftly got banished the next day. Charlotte famously exploited him as a decoy to strengthen her standing as a “trusted” contestant, though she faced banishment shortly afterwards.

Offering his views on this year’s standout personalities, including secret Traitor Fiona and Faithful Harriet, Freddie said: “It’s been great telly watching Fiona and Harriet, they’re both very strong females. When you have a conviction, you believe it.

“It’s like confirmation bias. When you think someone’s a Traitor, everything they do, in your head, it makes them more like a Traitor. So, watching Fiona go against Rachel and then Harriet go against Rachel, and Rachel’s still there, so it’s been insane to be fair. But I think it’s a lot more competitive this year, which I’ve noticed, but it’s been a really good watch.”

Former star Freddie Fraser issued a warning (Image: BBC)

Sarah then said: “You’re in quite a unique position because you’ve been [on] both sides. You were a Faithful for most of it and then a Traitor. The mindset, it must have been so difficult to get around that. How will the Traitors, how will the Faithfuls be feeling about it going into the final?”

Delivering a caution to this year’s Traitors, Rachel and Stephen, Freddie said: “I was only a Traitor for a day so my expertise of the Traitor thing is not the best. The day that I was the Traitor was the most intense, worst day of my life. Especially because, as Jake said, you form friendships and they’re like a second family. Then you have to go in the next day and go, ‘I’ve got to lie to everyone’. I didn’t really lie that well, did I?

“It’s crazy. The Traitors, especially as it gets smaller, they’ll be more nervous and pressured. The pressure will get to them.”

This year’s confirmed finalists include Faithfuls Jade, Faraaz and Jack, and Traitor Stephen. Will James or Rachel be joining them, and will it be a Traitor victory this year? Only time will tell.