In a dramatic and record-breaking opening roundtable, Judy, a 60-year-old child liaison officer, has become the first contestant banished from the latest series of BBC's The Traitors. The shock exit came after she received a staggering 16 votes from her fellow players, the largest landslide vote in the show's history to date.
A Landslide Vote and a Graceful Exit
Judy's banishment on 2nd January 2026 was a stark display of pack mentality amongst the Faithful. Despite staunch defence from her secret daughter, Roxy, 32, and former senior police officer Amanda, who were both convinced of her innocence, the group overwhelmingly turned against her. After her departure, Judy confessed it was "difficult" to leave knowing she was a loyal Faithful.
"I don't think I would have done anything differently," she stated, reflecting on her game. "I didn't have a strategy. I just thought there's no point in changing myself. I'm just going to play the game the best I can play it and enjoy it." She added that while she wished she could have stayed longer, she went down "gracefully".
Family Ties and Fiery Reactions
Judy revealed her standout moment was a confrontation in the castle kitchen with fellow contestant Sam, who was leading the charge against her. "My back went up as usual, and I just thought, 'oh no, I'm not having it'," she recalled. Now, her support is firmly behind her daughter Roxy, who remains in the game. "I'm willing her on, and I know she's got it in her to go all the way," Judy said.
Roxy was visibly furious after the roundtable, blaming Sam for the mistaken banishment. "If Sam is a Faithful, he's done the Traitors a favour tonight," she declared, vowing, "Mum's game might be over... but mine is just starting and it's going to spur me on."
Shockwaves in the Castle
The majority of the group were left stunned when host Claudia Winkleman revealed their catastrophic error. "You banished an innocent Faithful; she was just being herself. What a striking win for the Traitors," Winkleman told them, highlighting a perfect start for the hidden deceivers.
Judy's banishment followed the earlier murder of Netty, a 42-year-old single mum, who was the first player eliminated from the competition. Netty later reflected that she might have survived longer if she'd stuck to her original plan of observing quietly, rather than openly sharing her opinions with everyone.
Despite her short time in the game, Judy remained positive about her experience. "I've had an amazing time, the friendships that we've built up are incredible - I've loved every minute of it," she concluded.
