The Traitors finale was most-watched live episode in show's history

The finale of The Traitors was a remarkable event that captured the attention of millions. Over seven million viewers tuned in to witness the thrilling conclusion of the third season of this popular BBC series. The episode achieved an impressive average audience of 7. 4 million on Friday night, marking an increase of 1. 6 million viewers compared to last year's finale. This made it the most-watched episode in the history of The Traitors on BBC One. After weeks of intense competition, project manager Jake Brown and former soldier Leanne Quigley emerged as the winners, sharing a substantial prize of £94,600. It is important to note that these viewing figures only account for those who watched the episode live and do not include those who viewed it later on catch-up services. Following the finale, an additional 4. 8 million viewers tuned in to a special extended episode titled The Traitors: Uncloaked, which aired on BBC One and Sounds. In this episode, host Ed Gamble was joined by all the finalists and Claudia Winkleman, the main host, as they reflected on the final episode and shared their experiences from the show. The Traitors is a unique reality game show where a group of strangers gathers in a Scottish castle, competing for a chance to win a share of a prize fund. Throughout the series, contestants complete various missions to increase the prize money. However, a select few contestants, known as traitors, secretly eliminate their fellow players, who are referred to as the faithful, through nightly 'murders. ' The faithful must work together to identify the traitors, but if any traitors remain at the end of the game, they take home the entire prize pot, leaving the faithful with nothing. The show's format was originally developed by Dutch producer IDTV and broadcaster RTL before being adapted for the UK audience by Studio Lambert in 2022. The two winners, Jake and Leanne, revealed their identities as faithful players after Charlotte Berman was banished from the game, followed by Francesca Rowan-Plowden and Alexander Dragonetti. Interestingly, only Charlotte, who adopted a Welsh accent for the series despite not being Welsh, was a traitor. Francesca later commented on the Uncloaked episode, saying, 'I guess we didn't trust each other enough,' while Alexander humorously noted that it was 'absolutely brilliant' to have four faithful players left in the end. The morning after the finale, Jake appeared on BBC Breakfast, expressing that the entire experience still felt surreal. He mentioned, 'I'm waiting to wake up. ' Jake, who has cerebral palsy, expressed gratitude for the supportive messages he received from viewers who said he inspired them. He stated, 'Even though I'm disabled, it doesn't define me as a person,' adding, 'But I am proud of it. It makes me who I am. ' Leanne shared that her friends and family were 'absolutely made up' for her after her victory, saying, 'It's been a long time keeping it a secret. ' The reality show involves contestants working together while also deceiving one another to win a grand prize. Alexander, the former diplomat, pointed out that viewers at home do not see the genuine relationships that develop among the contestants. He explained that while they do bond, 'you have to throw people under the bus' to succeed. Francesca agreed, mentioning that she experienced a 'sense of paranoia' while filming. However, upon watching the show, she realized there were conversations she had not been part of, which helped her understand the dynamics better. She remarked, 'We had a really lovely time together and really bonded. ' Charlotte, who maintained her fake Welsh accent throughout the series, explained that she 'committed on day one and had to go with it,' as revealing her true voice would have led to her banishment. Jake Brown and Leanne Quigley, the winners, were seen celebrating with presenter Claudia Winkleman, dressed in elegant attire. The finale was filled with excitement, and the entire cast posed for a group photo, including Claudia Winkleman, against the backdrop of a castle.