The Traitors stars Ross and Ellie weren’t strangers after all when they entered Ardross Castle, it has now been confirmed.
Tonight’s show (January 7), saw the Secret Traitor’s identity revealed and Ross banished from the Traitors castle.
“The Traitors have done their work, because they have framed Ross,” Ellie said afterwards in the confessional. “I’m really sad to see him go… Especially because Ross is actually my boyfriend.”
Clips of the couple engaging in secret conversations in the castle were then shown, before Ellie told the confessional cameras: “What I’ve got to do now is avenge his death. I’ve got to work a lot harder. I want to catch a Traitor for him.”
Ross knew Netty and Ellie before filming started (Credit: BBC)
Ellie and Ross’ relationship secret
Ellie’s reveal finally lifted the lid on perhaps the show’s worst-kept secret. Earlier this week, a resurfaced photo of the pair was shared online.
Speculation had been building since the BBC One series began that the pair already knew each other before filming. And, earlier this week, that theory gained traction after a since-deleted image, said to date back to summer 2024, emerged on Reddit and quickly caught fans’ attention.
Since series four launched, viewers questioned whether Ross, 37, and Ellie, 33, were already acquainted, with many pointing out how comfortable they appeared when meeting on the Traitors train for the so-called first time.
The opening episode confirmed Ross had a real-world connection to Netty, who has since been murdered. But attention then turned to whether Ellie was also part of his pre-show circle.
A Reddit user uncovered a photo from a “team outing” shared in June 2024 by an account named @damospersonaltraining. The image showed Ross standing beside Ellie, with his hand resting on her back.
The caption read: “Team outing with the best personal trainers in London.”
The photo featured Ross, Ellie and seven others at a restaurant called Eco. It has since been deleted, and while Ross still appears connected to the account, Ellie no longer features in any visible grid posts.
Confirmed, Ross and Ellie know each other #TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUK pic.twitter.com/iLncgfTWVv
— (@j_swizzle_123) January 5, 2026
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