BBC The Traitors winners reveal 'paranoia' struggle after show's ending
BBC The Traitors winners Jake Brown and Leanne Quigley have revealed the "paranoia" they felt when filming finished - and how it was difficult to keep the ending a secret.
On Friday evening, January 24, the two were declared the winners of the psychological adventure show, with the final seeing them banish Traitor Charlotte Berman, as well as fellow Faithfuls Alexander Dragonetti and Francesca Rowan-Plowden.
Jake and Leanne were the last two standing and were able to split the prize pot equally, which saw them take home £47,300 each. After the Seer twist, which saw Traitor Charlotte revealed to Frankie, Charlotte was banished leaving only Faithfuls remaining. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
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However, distrust amongst the Faithfuls meant they voted out two of their own in Alexander and Frankie, with Leanne and Jake left as the winners. Despite their tremendous victory, the two had to remain quiet about their win for a few months afterwards.
Speaking to The Times, Jake said he found it difficult to keep their win under wraps. The third series was filmed back in spring 2024, meaning the two winners and the rest of the cast had to remain quiet about what had happened during filming.
Jake said: "It was filmed back in the springtime so it’s been a long time to keep it quiet. It’s been really difficult". He continued: "I mean, I was paranoid in my head because before the show even came on, I kept thinking people were looking at me, but obviously at that point no one knew who I was."
Jake admitted he later revealed his secret to his wife, Shannon. He said: "Eventually I thought, 'I need to tell someone because I was going insane in my own head". Former army officer Leanne, from Holywell, Flintshire, said she was also feeling "overwhelmed", especially with how the show concluded.
The Welsh winner also revealed what she hopes to do with her prize money. Speaking on BBC Radio 2, Leanne said she is hoping to spend her half of the money on getting married to Sophie, her partner of six years. At a dinner party in the last week of the show, Leanne joked that she would love to spend the money on a wedding, but didn't have a ring yet.
However, she revealed that the couple, who are parents to two-year-old twin boys conceived through IVF, have since got engaged. Speaking to host Romesh Ranganathan, Leanne said: "There's a wedding on the cards, I would love another baby, and just to enjoy some well-deserved family time."
She added that the wedding might have to be a "big one" so she is able to invite all of the cast. Leanne has previously spoken about wanting to use the prize money to help grow her family. "I would love to go through IVF again," she said. "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."
To help with their ups and down on the psychological adventure, the Times reported that the BBC enlists the aid of experts to work with the contestants. The Traitors lists chartered psychologist Victoria Plant and psychotherapist Tanya Taylor-Wright in its end credits.
The BBC also employs a health and safety company called the RT Group, formerly Remote Trauma. According to winner Jake, the welfare team and production had been "amazing". Speaking to the Times, he said: "They've been looking after us and checking in instantly.
"They're just really checking in, just making sure we're alright and offering all the support we need. There's not one thing that I've been unsure about. It’s been like a military operation, like they've constantly been checking in." He continued: "It's taught me how resilient I am. I always thought I was like a cool, calm, collected person, but it's really taught me I actually am more resilient than I thought."
