Stephen Libby, the latest winner of BBC’s hit reality series The Traitors, has opened up about the behind-the-scenes moments that left him “shocked” and wondering how he ended up with the show’s huge cash prize.
Speaking candidly on This Morning, the 32-year-old revealed the missteps and stressful situations he faced while playing the role of a Traitor—and how winning has now allowed him to leave his job and embrace a new chapter in life.
The Final Showdown
The tension was high in the finale as Stephen went head-to-head with fellow contestants Rachel Duffy, James Baker, Faraaz Noor, Jade Scott, and Jack Butler.
Early in the episode, Faraaz was voted out, followed by Jack in a dramatic second round of elimination.
That left Stephen and Rachel to claim the prize, each taking home an impressive £47,875.
Mistakes Behind the Mask
Looking back, Stephen admits that he made plenty of mistakes during his time as a Traitor.
He told hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley: “It’s very stressful in there.
At breakfast, I knew who wasn’t coming, but you’ve got to act shocked.
I made so many mistakes and got caught up in all sorts of dramas and theories.
When Jessie confronted me on the final five theory, I realised I’d made a catastrophic error.
I thought, ‘How could I be so silly?'”
He added that early on he often felt out of his depth: “I didn’t look like a skilled liar—I was constantly red, sweating, and wide-eyed—but consistency helped.
I looked shocked all the time, so no one suspected anything unusual.”
Teamwork and Loyalty
Stephen and Rachel worked closely in the final to secure the win, a collaboration he jokingly described as “Faithful.”
He praised the support of the remaining contestants, saying: “The Faithful were incredibly proud of us.
In many ways, it felt like a win for them too because Rachel and I stuck together.
I only made it to the final fire pit because of her.
I didn’t deserve that money any more than she did, and I never intended to take it all for myself.”
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity:
“I wanted to leave with my head held high, knowing I had kept my promise.”
Prize Money Plans
With the winnings secured, Stephen revealed he’s looking forward to enjoying life and taking a break from work.
“I’ve left my job, so the money is just helping me survive for now and enjoy life a little.
I’m not checking my account—I want it to be a nice surprise when it lands!”
He also teased a shopping trip fueled by his prize, noting his love of vintage fashion: “I packed two suitcases for the show, trying to shove everything in to meet the BBC’s limit.
Most of what I wore was my own clothes, so it was a struggle—but I made it work!”
From Screen to Stage
The excitement around The Traitors isn’t stopping with TV.
The BBC recently announced a theatrical adaptation of the series, set to launch in London next year.
Developed by Studio Lambert and Neal Street Productions, the stage version promises a “bold and surprising” experience, with John Finnemore as writer and Olivier Award-winning director Robert Hastie at the helm.
Stephen Lambert, CEO of Studio Lambert, teased: “Taking The Traitors from screen to stage is an exciting next step.
Fans should expect an intense, joyful night as we reveal a thrilling new hunting ground for our Traitors.”
Caro Newling of Neal Street Productions added that the live version will bring a “structural twist only a stage production can provide.”
Specific production dates are yet to be confirmed.
Catch Up on The Traitors
For those who missed the series—or want to relive the drama—The Traitors is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
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