BBC called ‘cruel’ after forcing contestant to watch his own mum be buried alive

*Warning: Spoilers ahead*

The Traitors fans were stunned after the BBC forced a contestant to watch his own mum get buried alive.

If you don't watch the show, that headline is going to sound very confusing.

Basically, the premise for the 'social deception' reality series - which has already been confirmed for a third series - sees 22 strangers compete in various missions, with the hopes of winning up to £120,000.

Among the players are the 'Traitors', who meet in secret and decide to eliminate the other players, known as the 'Faithfuls'.

Last February, a cloaked-up Winkleman confirmed the news of the second outing on X (Twitter).

And when the first episode dropped on BBC One on 3 January, it was hailed as 'genius reality TV' among the critics.

However, people at home were shocked by the latest episode on Wednesday (17 January).

The Traitors contestant Miles was banished from the BAFTA-winning BBC show after his fellow traitors turned on him and voted him off.

BBC

The 36-year-old veterinary nurse was ousted in dramatic scenes after 'murdering' Diane by giving her a poisoned chalice.

It was confirmed at the start of the programme that Diane took a sip of the drink, however, host Winkleman revealed the 'poison doesn’t work with immediate effect'.

So, for their challenge, the contestants had to act out a funeral to discover which of them had been poisoned.

As the players walked along a pathway, they had to answer questions to uncover who was safe and who was at risk of being 'murdered'.

When it was down to the final three contestants – Diane, Paul and Evie – they each had to get into a coffin while the others watched.

In the end, it was revealed fan favourite Diane had been 'murdered', as her fellow contestants had watch her coffin be slammed shut and lowered into the ground.

BBC

Contestant Ross, the real-life son of Diane, said: “I think Diane was an incredible player and I think it’s a massive loss to the whole team. We’ll be trying to find the traitors tonight for sure.”

Diane later added: “I’m OK with it being me. It would have been way worse if it had been Ross. The traitors are getting rid of people that could have carried the faithfuls forward. I think they’re playing a blindingly good game.”

Meanwhile, viewers couldn't believe what they were watching, as one person tweeted: "Making Ross bury his own mum is pretty cruel #TheTraitors."

"Imagine watching your mum get buried alive by Claudia Winkleman #TheTraitors," a second added.

Someone else said: "OMG poor Ross. Watching ya mum be buried alive on a TV show?! #TheTraitors."

The next episode of The Traitors will air on the BBC tonight (18 January) at 9pm.

LADbible has reached out to the BBC for comment.