The Traitors fans spot blunder that UNMASKS red-cloaked secret traitor

Eagle-eyed The Traitors fans spotted a big hint that could unmask the anonymous red-cloaked secret Traitor.

Claudia Winkleman selected Stephen, Rachel and Hugo to be the usual three green-cloaked traitors.

In a new twist, she also appointed a fourth - with this individual shrouded in secrecy while having all the power. 

Following the first episode, viewers think they know how to suss out who the secret Traitor is.

As part of their role, the secret Traitor creates a shortlist of three potential Faithful to murder - with the choice left to the other Traitors.

Those up for murder are James, Netty and Maz, although fans noted Netty's name was incorrectly spelled as 'Nettie'.

Writing on X, one person wrote in reaction to this: 'Let’s all see who spells Netty’s name wrong at the roundtable #TheTraitors.'

Another added: 'OMMMG GREAT CATCH!'

A third commented: 'That writing is quite distinctive, might be quite easy to spot.'

'Well spotted', a fourth viewer remarked. 

While a fifth said: 'Handwriting is the only tool the secret traitor has to deflect attention away from themselves.'

However, a sixth viewer took a different stance, as they penned: 'All of this assumes it's the secret traitor who does the writing, rather than production.'

Elsewhere, several fans believed they had already cracked the mystery surrounding the secret Traitor's identity.

Many were left thinking Sam, 34, could be the secret Traitor after an interesting comment he made. 

After the first challenge he said he was glad he wasn't up for murder as he wanted to stay 'under the radar'.

In reaction many penned on X: 'Why would Sam be worried about a 'radar' #TheTraitors.'

'The secret traitor is Sam. so many clues have been given #TheTraitors.'

'I am convinced Sam is the secret traitor in locking that in now #TheTraitors.'

'Thinking Sam might be the secret traitor #TheTraitors.'

'I think Sam is the secret traitor... #TheTraitors.'

'Three people who I think are potentially the secret traitor: Amanda, Sam or Fiona #TheTraitors.'

'Sam is the secret traitor, imo. #TheTraitors.'

Speaking on the decision to change the format this year, Mike Cotton, the Creative Director at Studio Lambert, explained: 'Each series is like its own murder mystery. We never change the core game, but we always work in twists. We thought it would be interesting if you didn't know who one of the Traitors was.

'As Claudia says in the show, the secret Traitors reign will go on until the others earn the power back. The Traitors are used to having all of the power, so it will be interesting to see how they navigate that and if they can use it to their advantage.'

Claudia picked Stephen, Rachel, and Hugo to be her Traitors, but what viewers didn't see was who she tapped on the shoulder to be the secret Traitor.

Claudia told the Daily Mail: 'It's nerve-racking, but I don't choose them alone. I interview all the players and some are absolutely desperate to be faithful. Anyone who convinces me otherwise is in contention.

'I then go into a small room with the bosses and an enormous tin of biscuits and we pick.

'We picked someone who wanted it. Someone who sat in front of the fire and said, "I need to be a Traitor". They have some fun.' 

She added that the game gets 'brutal' and the contestants play with their hearts.

The Traitors continues Friday at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.