The Traitors viewers spot 'flaw' in series that can expose Faithfuls instantly

Series 3 of The Traitors only began on New Year's Day and viewers claim they've already spotted a major "flaw" in its format.

The BBC One show, fronted by Claudia Winkleman, pits 22 contestants against each other, split into two factions: the Faithfuls and the Traitors. The goal is to identify and oust the Traitors to secure a cash prize of up to £120,000. If they fail, any remaining Traitors in the final round will claim the entire prize fund.

However, Alison Cooper took to TikTok on Thursday (January 2) to point out an issue she'd spotted in the first two episodes, which was met with agreement from scores more viewers. "I've noticed a flaw with The Traitors - has anyone else noticed this?" she began. "So, the Traitors meet in the tower in the evening and have a discussion as to who they could potentially 'murder'."

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She continued: "They put three names into the hat and the next day people come in for breakfast - one, two or three at a time - and then it's always at the very end that the people that the Traitors have put in the hat come in. Obviously minus one person because that person has been 'murdered'."

As such, outlining her repeated problem, Alison closed by questioning: "Aren't people putting that together and realising that if they're coming in at the end then obviously they're Faithfuls? It seems to happen every single series."

"FINALLY," declared another fan in response. "Someone else has picked up on this. Need an ex-Traitor to weigh in." A second agreed: "I can’t believe they haven’t sorted this after three seasons now, and also EVERY international version does it too."

A third person concurred, adding: "I’ve been wondering this as well, I get why it’s done for the viewers but surely the people there must have picked up on the pattern from previous series." Others, meanwhile, theorised that the supposed 'flaw' could simply be down to the way bosses have edited the show and therefore isn't obvious to contestants.

One person suggested: "Maybe it’s filmed to look like they come in last but they just don’t show the shots of everyone else in the room." And another proposed: "Could be just edited though, they could arrive in any order and they then re-shoot the walk in, then just play it in the order they want."

Elsewhere, viewers stated that the 'flaw' is something that only occurs at the beginning of each series. "Usually happens for the first few murders," one person said. "Not all the way through. But a big clue if it really happens (rather than some later filming)." Whilst a second claimed: "They only do it on the first episodes then usually mix it up a bit but also someone could get recruited at any point so it would only clear them for a bit."

Meanwhile, Traitors legend Ivan Brett has moved to debunk the theory. He explained in a lengthy post on X: "Quite often I'm told how because the final two or three players arriving for breakfast on The Traitors are always Faithful, this is a game-solving clue that the other players never use. Well, here's why the Late Faithful (Laithful) strategy is categorically wrong."

He continued: "While it's true to say that in Season 1 this tended to happen, it didn't always. In episode 4, Amanda was last to turn up to breakfast. Nobody was murdered that night, but they still used it as an opportunity to break the Laithful pattern. But even without that, you only spot this pattern of no Late Traitors (lators?) if you *already know* who the traitors are. Faithfuls are sus of everyone and only discover traitors once banished. We all tracked votes, friendships, but breakfast arrivals were not being counted.

"Ok, you say, but when watching the show it's obvious. So why didn't Season 2's contestants use the same info? Well, I hope they didn't... In episode 3, when Kyra was murdered, Traitor Ash was amongst the last three to arrive. In episode 5, when Meg was murdered, Traitor Paul was last to arrive.

"In episode 6, when Tracey was murdered, Traitor Harry was amongst the last to arrive. And then in episode 11, when Zack was murdered, Traitor Andrew was last to arrive. Four times a Traitor was late to breakfast. Another breakfast, two traitors didn't arrive at all (Dungeon). Four out of nine relevant breakfasts is actually proportionally higher than the proportion of Traitors to Faithfuls.

"So if you'd tried the Laithful strategy in Season 2, we can all agree you'd have been barking up the wrong croissant. I think it's fair to say, this myth should be busted. #TheTraitors."

The BBC/Studio Lambert has been approached for comment.

The Traitors returns tonight at 9pm on BBC1 and iPlayer