BBC One’s The Traitors saw plenty of tears as two people were forced to leave

The Traitors: Hugo Lodge admits he ‘messed up’

Two contestants from BBC One’s The Traitors have been abruptly eliminated from the programme, sparking outrage amongst devoted viewers.

Wednesday’s (January 7) explosive episode saw Welsh contestant Fiona Hughes revealed as the Secret Traitor in a startling twist, replacing barrister Hugo who faced banishment the previous week.

In a further departure from the usual format, an early roundtable session saw Ross accumulate the most votes from wary contestants and subsequently face banishment from the competition, where he disclosed his status as a Faithful.

The dramatic exit was followed by an astonishing revelation that he and fellow contestant Ellie Buckley had been romantically involved throughout filming, successfully concealing their relationship from the rest of the group.

Thursday’s (January 8) episode delivered yet another blow to frustrated audiences as two additional participants departed the castle without warning, reports Wales Online.

The Traitors returned tonight at BBC One (Image: BBC)

Traitors Fiona, Rachel and Stephen orchestrated a murder in plain sight, selecting Maz as their victim and eliminating him from the competition.

The murder came after Faithfuls Maz, Sam and Reece were nominated – with the selected individual discovering the cloaked identities before being sent home in a face-to-face confrontation.

Social media platform X erupted with devastated reactions, with one viewer posting: “UR JOKING.”

Another added: “maz nooooo.” A third commented: “Oh not poor sweet Maz.”

Following his departure, a stunned Maz remarked: “Rachel is playing a fantastic game, she’s under the radar. Fiona, I didn’t have a clue, we were good friends and people saw that. All the while she was planning to kill me.”

This evening’s gripping episode witnessed another Faithful’s elimination during an intense round table discussion where numerous suspects were presented to the group.

Maz was murdered in plain sight as The Traitors chose to send him home (Image: BBC)

Ultimately, Amanda found herself ousted after a tied vote triggered a game of chance. In a dramatic face-off with confectionery shop worker Reece, both contestants selected an unopened chest, with the shield guaranteeing survival.

When Reece discovered the shield, Amanda was subsequently banished by presenter Claudia Winkleman, who confirmed she was indeed a Faithful.

On X, one viewer commented: “Amanda absolutely threw herself under the bus there #TheTraitors.”

Another posted: “Yep, Amanda shot herself in the foot by being too outspoken today.”

Tonight’s instalment saw two Faithfuls leave the game (Image: BBC)

A third observer noted: “Not shocked at Amanda being banished #TheTraitors.”

Amanda’s elimination followed her disclosure to Rachel about her background as a former detective – a revelation that dismayed viewers, given she’d confided in a Traitor.

Rachel, Stephen and Fiona continue as Traitors, though the pressure is mounting. Nevertheless, numerous fans have flocked to social media forecasting the imminent collapse of the treacherous trio.

One viewer commented: “I think the distrust between Rachel and Fiona will be the undoing of #TheTraitors Another said: ” Another speculated: “I think Rachel is going to backstab the other traitors as well.”