Reality TV is never short on drama, and The Traitors UK has just served up a finale that left viewers more fired up than a helicopter drop challenge. When Leanne and Jake emerged as the winners, splitting the £94,600 prize fund, social media erupted with a fury that could rival the show's most intense roundtable.
"Because she's a complete narcissist," one fan bluntly declared on x.com
And that was just the beginning of a social media storm that would make even the most seasoned reality TV veterans blush.
The Traitors is no ordinary game show. It's a psychological battleground where contestants live together in a Scottish castle, some secretly designated as "traitors" plotting to eliminate the "faithful" players. Season 3 pushed these psychological boundaries to their limits, creating a finale that would spark debates across the nation.
Fans react to The Traitors UK’s Leanne and her victory in Series 3
Fan reactions were nothing short of brutal. The criticism wasn't just a mild disapproval - it was a full-blown character assassination.
"None of these faithful were genuine people to each other, they were money hungry from the start and Leanne is the most undeserving faithful winner the show has ever had. Not to mention a hot head. Hopefully next year people will be kinder to each other," a fan commented viciously.
"Leanne is so unbelievably self centred, even at the end saying to Jake - ‘you better not let ME down’. Also she hated Alexander because he was a hell of a lot nicer and smarter than her," a twitter user said.
"Leanne taking the win after doing nothing but be passive aggressive and accusing everyone, then taking it personally when anyone accuses her…" a fan captioned with a funny gif attached.
Some fans went as far as claiming the show had lost its original magic.
"Wow we finally have a new worsts winner of the traitors UK," a user commented.
"Literally the most anticlimactic ending ever! Leanne is a traitor to all women & Jake is a greedy sod. Alexander is the people's Faithful...forever and always! Love to you too Frankie...the people's Mum," an X user wrote.
What happened in The Traitors UK Season 3 finale?
The episode itself was a masterclass in tension. Host Claudia Winkleman introduced a game-changing twist: banished contestants would no longer reveal their true identities, leaving the remaining players in a fog of uncertainty.
Frankie's "Seer" power became the pivotal moment, revealing Charlotte as a traitor. Charlotte attempted to muddy the waters, trying to cast suspicion on Frankie, but the faithful contestants weren't buying it.
The final challenge saw contestants dangling from a helicopter, dropping bags of money into a ring of fire - a metaphor, perhaps, for the burning expectations of the viewers. Charlotte directed Jake and Leanne, and then Frankie and Alexander took their turn.
At the roundtable, Charlotte was the first to be banished. Alexander followed, then Frankie - leaving Leanne and Jake as the last two standing. Both faithful, they split the prize money equally.
What began as a strategic game of trust and deception had transformed into a social media battlefield. Leanne's victory became more than just winning a reality show - it became a lightning rod for discussions about gameplay, personality, and the very nature of competition.
In the end, Leanne and Jake won the money. But in the court of public opinion? The verdict was far from unanimous.
Reality TV rarely offers simple narratives. And The Traitors UK Season 3 proved, once again, that the real drama happens long after the cameras stop rolling.
Stream The Traitors UK Season 3 now on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, and relive the intense journey to the finale.
Your perspective matters!
Start the conversation