The Traitors' secrets REVEALED: As the countdown to the final begins, a look into the intriguing lives of the remaining contestants (and what they've been hiding)

BBC1 series The Traitors has firmly established itself as one of the UK's biggest TV hits, reaffirming the nation's love of whodunits.

Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, 53, the murder mystery game show is now in its third season and the ratings have even now eclipsed Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC's jewel in the crown.

As the series gears towards its climax, audience figures are set to rise further as the Faithfuls battle it out to expose the Traitors secretly operating amongst them.

However, despite its impressive ratings, not everybody is impressed as some critics have branded many of this year's cast as 'wannabe reality stars' who are using the show as a platform for fame, diluting some of the show's magic.

But with just six days to go until the highly anticipated final, excitement is still building as to who will leave the show victorious, and walk away with the £120,000 first prize.

Here MailOnline takes a look at the secrets behind the remaining contestants...

BBC1 series The Traitors has firmly established itself as one of the UK's biggest TV hits, reaffirming the nation's love of whodunits

BBC1 series The Traitors has firmly established itself as one of the UK's biggest TV hits, reaffirming the nation's love of whodunits 

Charlotte Berman, 33

London-born business director Charlotte Berman is one of the sneakiest castmembers this series and hasn't ruled out double crossing fellow Traitor Minah Shannon to get to the final

London-born business director Charlotte Berman is one of the sneakiest castmembers this series and hasn't ruled out double crossing fellow Traitor Minah Shannon to get to the final 

The London-born business director is one of the sneakiest cast members this series.

She's hoodwinked rivals by pretending to be from Abergavenny, South Wales, and has adopted the regional accent because she believes it sounds 'trust-worthy'.

And it seems to have worked, and she even managed to fool the real life Welsh contestant Elen Wyn.

Given her mother is Welsh, you can understand how she perfected the accent.

However, her loyalties switched on Thursday night's show when she was recruited by the only remaining Traitor, Minah Shannon, who convinced her to join the dark side.

Traitors' conspiracy theorists have come up with claims she's married to fellow contestant Alexander.

Traitors' conspiracy theorists have come up with claims she's married to fellow contestant Alexander (pictured)

Traitors' conspiracy theorists have come up with claims she's married to fellow contestant Alexander (pictured) 

Well, they are half right, she is married to Alexander, but not that one, she tied the knot with husband Alexander - who has no connection with the show - in 2022

Well, they are half right, she is married to Alexander, but not that one, she tied the knot with husband Alexander - who has no connection with the show - in 2022

The pair enjoy a jet-setting lifestyle which Charlotte documents on her Instagram page

The pair enjoy a jet-setting lifestyle which Charlotte documents on her Instagram page

She also loves hiking and her and her black Labrador, Bobbie

She also loves hiking and her and her black Labrador, Bobbie

Well, they are half right, she is married to Alexander, but not that one, she tied the knot with husband Alexander - who has no connection with the show - in 2022.

The pair enjoy a jet-setting lifestyle which Charlotte documents on her Instagram page.

Locations she visited include New Zealand, Georgia, Ireland, Canada, France and Hungary.

She also loves hiking and her and her black Labrador, Bobbie.

Asked why she wanted to appear on the show, and bag a £120,000 prize, Charlotte simply says the thrill of competing lured her in.

Charlotte added: 'I have loved the show since the very start and think it would be such a fun thing to take part in.

'It's a real 'money can't buy' experience getting to play the game.'

Francesca Rowan-Plowden, 44

The interior designer from East Sussex is a wannabe TV presenter who hopes starring in the BBC1 hit could be a launchpad to more time in front of the camera

The interior designer from East Sussex is a wannabe TV presenter who hopes starring in the BBC1 hit could be a launchpad to more time in front of the camera

The interior designer from East Sussex is a wannabe TV presenter who hopes starring in the BBC1 hit could be a launchpad to more time in front of the camera.

Indeed, she already has a showreel ready to go featuring herself touring stately homes, and has close links with the team which promotes ITV dramas including The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe and Trigger Point.

She owns her own interior design business and one of her many jobs includes revitalising lavish hotels.

The mother-of-four has previously starred in a troupe that performed Shakespeare plays, and her acting skills have so far come in handy around the notorious roundtable.

Francesca believes she's an asset to the show due to her ability to 'suss out a fibber'. 

She said: I've developed these skills through times of being a single mum, as well as having to work with large groups of people and deal with clients across the commercial, private and residential sector who vary quite a lot.

'You can always suss out a fibber. If I think someone's really telling lies, then I will call them out and say, that's not the case.'

But Francesca's sixth sense has proved to be way off the mark. On Thursday's episode she helped lead the drive for her fellow Faithful Alex to be banished, after previously incorrectly guessing Dan was behind the cloak. 

Freddie Fraser, 20

Freddie hopes his competitive edge will serve him well in The Traitors

Freddie hopes his competitive edge will serve him well in The Traitors

Freddie has already delved into a bit of modelling, posing in a campaign to launch the new Peterborough United kit - and he shares plenty of shirtless snaps on his Instagram

Freddie has already delved into a bit of modelling, posing in a campaign to launch the new Peterborough United kit - and he shares plenty of shirtless snaps on his Instagram

The politics student from Peterborough already boasted an impressive 25,000 Instagram followers before joining the show.

And he'll be pleased to know it's now bumped up to 43,200, which should help with those inevitable endorsement deals he'll be allowed to promote once the series ends.

Freddie has already delved into a bit of modelling, posing in a campaign to launch the new Peterborough United kit, but he claims studying is his main priority at present, as he's considering a fourth year at law school.

The self-titled 'mummy's boy' admitted before the show 'flirting' is his secret weapon and he was hoping to gain trust from the opposite sex by getting female contestants to try and mother him.

Freddie could have found fame in sport, rather than reality TV, if a nasty injury didn't rob him of a promising career in athletics.

He was a former UK No1 in sprint hurdles before tearing his hamstring.

Freddie could have found fame in sport, if a nasty injury didn't rob him of a promising career in athletics. He was a former UK No1 in sprint hurdles before tearing his hamstring

Freddie could have found fame in sport, if a nasty injury didn't rob him of a promising career in athletics. He was a former UK No1 in sprint hurdles before tearing his hamstring

Freddie hopes his competitive edge will serve him well in The Traitors.

He says: 'I don't do sport anymore because I tore my hamstring in 2020, so I've sort of shifted that mindset into everyday life.

'If I'm doing a job, if I'm studying, I want to do it to the best of my ability and bring that drive and passion.'

Jake Brown, 28

Jake Brown has become a fan favourite after becoming one of the very few contestants who can suss out a Traitor, having correctly identified Linda Rands

Jake Brown has become a fan favourite after becoming one of the very few contestants who can suss out a Traitor, having correctly identified Linda Rands

The project manager is from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and is the first ever Traitors contestant to have cerebral palsy

The project manager is from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and is the first ever Traitors contestant to have cerebral palsy

The Faithful has become a fan favourite after becoming one of the very few contestants who can suss out a Traitor, having correctly identified Linda Rands days before she was finally uncovered this week

Surprisingly overlooked by Minah in her Traitor recruitment drive, Jake will continue to help solve mysteries, just like his hero Scooby Doo.

The project manager is from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and is the first ever Traitors contestant to have cerebral palsy.

He's played for England's cerebral palsy football team, competing at both the European and World Championships - and in 2025 he was named Barrow's Sports Personality of the Year

Jake's also a big Manchester United fan, regularly attending games with his brother.

In September 2023, he married long-term love Shan and the pair share a golden retriever called Freddy

In September 2023, he married long-term love Shan and the pair share a golden retriever called Freddy

In September 2023, he married long-term love Shan and the pair share a golden retriever called Freddy.

Asked what he'd spent prize money on if he won the show, Jake said: 'I'd want to treat my wife and my mum and dad to a nice big holiday to show my appreciation of them, for everything they've done for me.

'And then on top of that, I'd like to put some money into my house, because I didn't realise before I bought a house that it's just money draining.

'There are so many things I ought to do to the house, but there's just no money there. I'd like to put some towards that.'

Joe Scott, 37

Joe Scott was dubbed 'the worst Faithful ever' this week when he successfully managed to convince the entire group care worker Alex Oleksy was a Traitor

Joe Scott was dubbed 'the worst Faithful ever' this week when he successfully managed to convince the entire group care worker Alex Oleksy was a Traitor

Given his profession, Joe's social media is understandably vague, but he does tease a relationship with an Australian-based female love interest

Given his profession, Joe's social media is understandably vague, but he does tease a relationship with an Australian-based female love interest

The English teacher was dubbed 'the worst Faithful ever' this week when he successfully managed to convince the entire group care worker Alex Oleksy was a Traitor - only to discover he was totally wrong.

Joe lives in Southampton but was originally from Yorkshire.

He recently qualified as a drama teacher, to accompany his English credentials, and his penchant for creating a spectacle hasn't gone unnoticed by viewers.

Given his profession, Joe's social media is understandably vague, but he does tease a relationship with an Australian-based female love interest whom he sees every time she returns to the UK.

Joe believes his teaching background will stand him in good stead on the series as his life is 'based around planning'.

He explained: 'I have to plan for every moment, every possible question, everything that could go wrong. So, I think I'm already going to be in that mode, and I think it will be helpful.

'I think I'll be more tactical with things. I think I'll read between the lines, I won't listen to just what's being said, I'll think about what's not being said.'

And it's only thanks to his love of BBC soap EastEnders he came across the show.

He added: 'I watch EastEnders so I was watching iPlayer, and this came on automatically after.

'I'd caught up on EastEnders, I was making a coffee, and I remember saying to my flatmate, 'I'm not watching whatever this is, turn it over.' And then we were drawn in and we just got so invested in it. It was like real life Cluedo, it just looks so fun to do. It's puzzles and clues and a big old whodunnit.'

Leanne Quigley, 28

The former soldier from North Wales is another contestant who went into the series with a game plan - and secret identity

The former soldier from North Wales is another contestant who went into the series with a game plan - and secret identity 

The former soldier from North Wales is another contestant who went into the series with a game plan - and secret identity.

Leanne has tricked cast members into believing she's a nail technician, as she felt exposing her military background would make her an easy target for Traitors due to her experience.

Leanne shares twin boys with her partner Sophie Jones, who she recently revealed had grade 3 breast cancer.

Thankfully, Sophie is now cancer-free, an announcement Leanne made on her Instagram last week.

She wrote: 'This is the only news we needed and wanted.

'On the 31st July 2024, my partner, and the mother of my children, was diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer.

'Watching the person you love fight through chemotherapy is up there with the worst things on earth.'

Leanne shares twin boys with her partner Sophie Jones, who she recently revealed had grade 3 breast cancer

Leanne shares twin boys with her partner Sophie Jones, who she recently revealed had grade 3 breast cancer 

Leanne and Sophie got engaged in August and if the former wins the show, she wants to pay for another round of IVF so they can add to their family

Leanne and Sophie got engaged in August and if the former wins the show, she wants to pay for another round of IVF so they can add to their family 

Leanne shared a look at her life serving in the army, after deviously keeping her career in the Armed Forces a secret from her fellow contestants on the show as part of her strategy to win

Leanne shared a look at her life serving in the army, after deviously keeping her career in the Armed Forces a secret from her fellow contestants on the show as part of her strategy to win 

She added: 'Yesterday, Wednesday 8th January 2025, the strongest woman on planet earth was told she is cancer free. She did it. I cannot express or put into words how proud I am, and how in awe I am of her strength every single day.'

Leanne and Sophie got engaged in August and if the former wins the show, she wants to pay for another round of IVF so they can add to their family.

She said: 'I would love to go through IVF again. I went through IVF with my boys, and I was very poorly throughout my pregnancy, and then I went into early labour at six months.

'The boys were only 26 weeks when they were born.'

Alexander Dragonetti, 38

The 'posh' former former British diplomat was 'fake eliminated' in episode one, but made a return in episode four and has remained in the castle ever since

The 'posh' former former British diplomat was 'fake eliminated' in episode one, but made a return in episode four and has remained in the castle ever since

Alexander's relationship status is unknown, but his Instagram account suggests he's single, as the well-travelled Faithful has not highlighted any love interests

Alexander's relationship status is unknown, but his Instagram account suggests he's single, as the well-travelled Faithful has not highlighted any love interests

The 'posh' former former British diplomat was 'fake eliminated' in episode one, but made a return in episode four and has remained in the castle ever since.

Alexander's relationship status is unknown, but his Instagram account suggests he's single, as the well-travelled Faithful has not highlighted any love interests.

As mentioned earlier, fans speculated he may have been in a secret relationship with castmate Charlotte, a theory which has now been firmly debunked.

Alexander has a big passion for 'trying new things' and recently finished visiting 15 of London's disused underground stations, as well as going down the sewers on a visit to Bologna.

He explained: 'I went to Murmansk a couple of years ago to see the world's northernmost McDonald's and nuclear icebreaker.

'I've lived around the world in different countries. I hope this will be something I'll enjoy….and if not, it'll be something new.

'Secondly, I think it would be fun to bring my diplomatic skills to the game – a diplomat is meant to win people over and be good at influencing and negotiating.'

On what he'd spend the prize money on, he added:. 'I'd like to buy a flat because civil servant salaries are not as large as people think they are.'

Minah Shannon, 29

Now a firm fan favourite, some viewers have even started to brand Minah Shannon the 'best ever Traitor'

Now a firm fan favourite, some viewers have even started to brand Minah Shannon the 'best ever Traitor'

The call centre manager is the only original Traitor left after she brutally turned on Linda Rands this week to preserve her status on the show

The call centre manager is the only original Traitor left after she brutally turned on Linda Rands this week to preserve her status on the show

The Scouser is married to husband Liam and the couple share a two-year-old daughter, named Luna

The Scouser is married to husband Liam and the couple share a two-year-old daughter, named Luna

The call centre manager is the only original Traitor left after she brutally turned on Linda Rands this week to preserve her status on the show.

Now a firm fan favourite, some viewers have even started to brand her the 'best ever Traitor' given how she's 'calm, collected, likeable, deflects onto the right people and delivers Oscar winning performances.'

The Scouser is married to husband Liam and the couple share a two-year-old daughter, named Luna.

They announced their engagement in 2017, tying the knot three years later, with Minah documenting the nuptials on Instagram, writing: 'Yesterday, I finally got to marry my bestest friend and I'm still on the biggest high.'

Minah was in the running to appear on series two of the BBC1 show last year, won by Harry Clark, but pulled out due to work commitments.

After getting married during Covid, Minah was unable to cap her wedding with the honeymoon of her dreams.

She wants to put that right if she bags the £120,000 prize money.

Minah said: 'The first thing I'd do is book me and my husband a honeymoon.

'We got married in December 2020, in the height of Covid, and we had a really small wedding which was lovely, but it wouldn't have been my choice, and we didn't get a honeymoon. I'd love for us to go travelling around America for three weeks.

'I'd also use the money for a house deposit, which would be amazing.'