In a gripping finale of the hit BBC series “The Traitor,” Newry resident Rachel Duffy emerged as the first female traitor to win the show and take home the £47,875 prize. The 12-episode journey of deception and betrayal has left Rachel with a newfound appreciation for the power of honesty, as she now prepares to share an important lesson with her children.
Rachel, a self-proclaimed Mafia game enthusiast, utilized her skills in maintaining a poker face to navigate the treacherous waters of “The Traitor.” Alongside her fellow winner, Stephen, the duo managed to deceive and conquer their way through the competition, forming an unlikely bond in the process.
“From the minute he dropped his hood, I thought, ‘Aw, he’s lovely, really nice person.’ I felt relaxed,” Rachel recalled of her initial impression of Stephen, her trusted right-hand man.
The finale’s nail-biting climax centered on the question of whether the two traitors would ultimately betray each other to claim the full £97,750 prize. However, the pair remained true to their word, splitting the winnings and restoring the audience’s faith in humanity.
“As we made our promise, I just fell in love with him in the castle. We have a really nice friendship,” Rachel said.
While the deception and secrecy were essential to her success, Rachel acknowledged the toll it took on her. “I can see watching the episodes… the bags under my eyes getting a little heavier,” she admitted, adding that the constant lying was “exhausting” as a traitor.
Now, as Rachel prepares to return home to Newry, she faces a unique challenge – informing her children that “it’s not nice to lie,” despite the very tactics that earned her the grand prize.
“I’ve to go home now and tell my children: ‘By the way, it’s not nice to lie,'” she said with a laugh, aware of the irony.
With the weight of her secrets lifted, Rachel plans to use her winnings to spoil her family, particularly her mother, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and dementia. “I can’t wait to come home and give her a big hug and say, ‘What will we do? Anything you want, let’s go do it,'” she shared.
Rachel’s journey on “The Traitor” has proven to be a complex and captivating one, blending her competitive spirit, deceptive skills, and ultimately, a lesson in the value of honesty – a lesson she now must impart to her own children.
