The most recent season of The Traitors saw both Rachel and Stephen winning the show in spectacular fashion, both taking home just under £48,000 each.
One of the major storylines throughout the TV show was the pair’s bond, and particularly the fact that Rachel spoke openly about what she would use the prize money for.
Rachel revealed throughout the show that she wanted to use the prize money to ‘make memories’ with her mum, Anne, who had battled health issues including Parkinsons and dementia.
Just days after the BBC show aired her win though the Northern Irish TV star sadly announced the death of her mum, posting to Instagram: “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beautiful wee mummy. We kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves during this difficult time."
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Speaking in a new interview with the BBC she revealed that she went from the ‘highest of highs’ to the ‘lowest of lows’ when her mum died.
She said: “Mummy had been sick for a long time, but nobody expected her to pass away and it all happened really quick.”
Rachel also added that she had actually quit her day job as a communications director, saying that she had ‘worked for an amazing organisation for 18 years, helping people in the community’.
She said though that she is going to ‘focus on me for right now and focus on my wee family.’
The Traitor has said she plans to move into TV presenting but, for now, is focused on finishing a novel that she has been working on for years.
Rachel said this was called The Echo of the Embers, clarifying that it was a ‘young adult contemporary fantasy book’ and the first of a trilogy.
Even though she isn’t able to spend the money making memories with her mum as she planned though, Rachel has claimed she is still going to ‘going to stay true to what I said on the show’.
The TV star said: “I'm going to make memories. I can't get to make them with mummy, but I'm going to make them with my family.
“I think being able to do nice things with them is an absolute blessing.
"So I think we're going to have a fun 2026.”
One comment on the video on Instagram said: “Good woman Rachel reach for the stars!
“You have helped so many people in our wee community, now is your time.”
Fellow Traitors winner Stephen has also debuted in TV presenting, hosting fashion segments on This Morning.
When asked what his plans were for the money Stephen told This Morning: “Obviously, some new jumpsuits on the cards, and, I've left my job so, really, it's allowing me to just survive for the next wee while as well.”
Topics: The Traitors, BBC, TV, Mental Health, TV and Film
Michael Slavin