While the nation is still reeling from Alan Carr's astonishing victory on Celebrity Traitors, dedicated fans of the franchise are locked in a heated debate: was his win the most dramatic finale ever, or does that crown belong to a truly explosive season from Australia?
In a turn of events that left viewers and fellow contestants stunned, comedian Alan Carr managed to deceive everyone, making it to the very end without revealing he had been secretly selected as a Traitor by host Claudia Winkleman from the outset.
His journey was far from smooth, with the comedian often appearing to fumble and potentially give away his secret identity. However, when it mattered most, fellow finalists Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga placed their trust in him – a decision that cost them the prize money.
Instead of splitting the £87,500 pot as they had intended, Alan walked away with the entire sum for his chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK. While many fans took to social media to call it the 'best final ever', it was arguably not the most jaw-dropping conclusion the global series has ever produced.
The Australian Betrayal That Changed Everything
For the ultimate in Traitors drama, one must look to the second season of The Traitors Australia, which aired in 2023. This season created a scenario unmatched by any other version of the show globally: three Traitors made it to the final, setting the stage for an unforgettable and deeply personal climax.
The season featured a mix of everyday Australians and celebrities, including actors and reality stars like My Kitchen Rules’ Ash Pollard. Her time as a Traitor was cut short after a ruthless 27-year-old marketing consultant named Sam successfully convinced the other players she was untrustworthy.
Sam, who dubbed himself ‘The Sheriff’, was a brutally effective player. He openly detailed his plans to eliminate anyone who questioned him and, despite his cutthroat tactics, largely flew under the radar of the Faithfuls, who were later described by many as ‘clueless’ for continually turning against their own.
After Ash's banishment, a further 11 Faithfuls were murdered or banished, culminating in a final roundtable where the three remaining Traitors – Sam, 35-year-old beer sales manager Blake Willoughby, and 53-year-old former federal agent Camille Chicheportiche – faced each other.
The Ultimate Dilemma: Share or Steal?
The game's final twist, the Traitor's Dilemma, presented a gut-wrenching choice. Each Traitor had to secretly decide whether to Share or Steal the prize pool of $208,000 (approximately £107,000).
The rules were merciless. If all three chose Share, they would split the money equally. If one chose Steal while the others chose Share, the Stealer would take everything. However, if two or more chose Steal, the money would be lost entirely, and no one would get a penny.
Sensing that her fellow Traitors had no intention of playing fairly, Camille made a decisive move. Declaring that if she wasn't going to win, ‘none of us were’, she chose Steal, despite having told the men she would Share. Her choice triggered the worst possible outcome: the money vanished, and all three walked away empty-handed.
The aftermath was intensely uncomfortable to watch. Blake broke down in tears, while Sam lashed out with personal attacks, telling Camille they had ‘deserved’ the money and she ‘should have let us have it’. Host Rodger Corser summed up the moment, stating that justice was ‘a dish best served cold’.
The Aftermath and Lasting Legacy
Speaking to Metro after the finale, Camille revealed she ‘never considered’ letting the other two take the money. She was determined to show Sam ‘who the boss was’ and described his personal digs as ‘a real insight into the type of person he was’.
She offered a telling insight into the immediate aftermath. ‘Those boys went to their rooms and sooked like little children and I got to drink champagne to the control room. I drank it like I was a winner, because I was,’ she quipped. Despite her attempts to reach out after filming stopped, she said both men ‘refused’ to speak with her, suggesting that her status as an ‘older female and a sort of nobody to them’ played a role.
The reaction from viewers was immediate and overwhelming, with many declaring it ‘the best ending of any of the series yet’. Last week, fans were still urging others to watch the season, with one social media user, Tegan, posting on X: ‘If you thought last night’s final of The Traitors was anti-climactic, please watch season 2 of the Australian series. I’ve never seen an ending to any kind of reality game show like it.’
Despite its cult following, the Australian version was cancelled after two seasons, reportedly due to low ratings. However, for those seeking the most shocking and strategically brutal finale in the Traitors canon, the second season of The Traitors Australia, available on BBC iPlayer, remains the undisputed champion.
