The latest series of the BBC's hit show The Traitors has been full of shocking revelations, not just about the game, but about the real-life relationships between its contestants. As viewers try to guess who is secretly linked, one of the show's stars has had his own off-screen connections brought into the spotlight.
Stephen Libby's Real-Life Romance with Actor Daniel Quirke
While fans speculated that traitor Stephen Libby might be involved with fellow contestants Matthew Hyndman or Reece Ward, social media has confirmed his true relationship. The 32-year-old, originally from the remote Isle of Lewis in Scotland but now living in London, is actually dating actor and artist Daniel Quirke.
Daniel publicly confirmed Stephen's participation in the show just before its New Year's Day premiere. On X, formerly Twitter, he broke a social media hiatus to post: "Breaking my Twitter hiatus to post this. My amazing partner Stephen took a little trip to the Highlands. Tune in tonight for #TheTraitors at 8pm on @BBC."
The couple's Instagram accounts paint a picture of a life filled with travel and art. They have documented trips to destinations including Vietnam, Japan, and South Africa. Daniel frequently shares his own artwork, which was recently featured in a solo exhibition in London's Soho district. Posts featuring each other date back to at least 2022, though the exact start of their relationship remains unclear.
A Famous Face in the Watch Party Crowd
Stephen's circle of friends also includes a well-known comedy figure. A TikTok video from a watch party, filmed when host Claudia Winkleman selected Stephen as a traitor, captured the excited reactions of his loved ones. Amidst the screams and applause, eagle-eyed viewers spotted a familiar face: stand-up comedian, writer, and actress Lou Sanders.
In the clip, Lou is seen covering her eyes in suspense before applauding the news. Her presence prompted questions from fans online, with many asking about her connection to the Traitors star. Lou Sanders is a regular on British panel shows, has performed on Live at the Apollo, and won the eighth series of Taskmaster in 2019. She recently appeared on Last One Laughing UK alongside Jimmy Carr and Bob Mortimer.
A Season of Surprising Connections
Stephen Libby's personal revelations are part of a wider trend in this series of The Traitors, where hidden ties between contestants have become a major talking point. Earlier in the season, psychologist Ellie Buckley revealed that fellow contestant Ross Garshong is her boyfriend, while recruiter Roxy Wilson disclosed that child liaison officer Judy Wilson is her mother.
These disclosures led former traitor Paul Gorton to speculate that a family tree in the castle might hint that "everyone is connected" through friendship or family. As the game progresses, with Stephen now the only remaining traitor alongside Rachel Duffy following Fiona Hughes' banishment, fans are more intrigued than ever by the web of relationships both inside and outside the game.
Since the show aired, Stephen and Daniel have been flooded with comments from viewers, with many fans particularly keen for Stephen to share details about the stylish outfits he has worn on screen.
