In a dramatic twist on BBC's hit reality show The Traitors, a secret off-screen romance between two contestants was publicly revealed for the first time following a tense and emotional banishment.
Shock Banishment Leads to Emotional Confession
The revelation unfolded during the episode aired on 7th January 2026, which saw contestant Ross banished from the game. The group had incorrectly voted him out under the belief he was a 'Traitor', only for him to confirm he had always been a 'Faithful'. As he left the set, fellow contestant Ellie made a startling admission.
Visibly emotional and fighting back tears, Ellie addressed the remaining players. "The Traitors have done their work, because they have framed Ross," she stated. "I'm really sad to see him go, especially because Ross is my boyfriend." The show then cut to a montage of personal photos and clips of the pair together, including footage from the very first episode where they were seated together in a train carriage.
Social Media Sleuths Had Already Spotted Clues
The on-air confirmation came just days after eagle-eyed fans on social media had begun speculating about a potential relationship between the London-based sales executive and personal trainer, Ross, and Ellie. Their suspicions were sparked by a since-deleted Instagram post from June 2024.
The image, shared by the account @damospersonaltraining, was part of a "team outing" snap. It showed Ross with his hand on Ellie's back as they posed with colleagues, looking notably close. This digital breadcrumb had led online communities to correctly guess their connection well before the televised reveal.
Ellie Vows to Avenge Her Boyfriend's Exit
In a poignant clip shown after the banishment, Ellie was seen earlier in the competition confessing to Ross that she had been "worried about him" during the night, fearing he might be murdered by the Traitors. Following his exit, her focus shifted to vengeance.
"What I've got to do now is avenge his death," Ellie declared in a piece to camera. "I've got to work a lot harder. I want to catch a traitor for him." This new motivation adds a deeply personal stake to her continued game, fundamentally altering the dynamics for the remaining contestants.
The exposure of this real-life relationship between Ross and Ellie marks one of the most personal and unexpected twists in the current series of The Traitors, blurring the lines between strategic gameplay and genuine emotion.
