/Studio Lambert/Paul ChappellsSpoiler warning: This article contains details of the final episode of The Traitors.
The best way to keep one of TV’s most sought-after secrets? Not telling anyone in your island community, says The Traitors contestant Stephen Libby.
The 32-year-old from the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides said his “number one rule” to avoid giving away the outcome of the show was not telling any of his fellow islanders.
In a dramatic final vote, traitor Stephen had a choice between breaking a promise to fellow traitor Rachel Duffy and dumping her, or eliminating the last remaining faithful, Jack Butler, who had become his good friend.
A total of 9.6m people tuned in to Friday’s finale for its dramatic closing moments.
Speaking on Radio Scotland’s The Saturday Show, Stephen said he tried to forget the outcome of the show so that he didn’t give anything away.
He said: “I just made sure that I didn’t tell anyone from the Isle of Lewis, because I knew that if one person found out, then the whole island would find out.”
Rachel from Newry in Northern Ireland and Stephen were both chosen as traitors at the beginning and soon formed an alliance to stick together due to their “celtic connection”.
“I couldn’t go back on my word to you,” Stephen told Rachel after voting for Jack – meaning the pair shared the victory and halved the £95,750 prize.
Stephen, a cyber security consultant, said the reaction in Stornoway has been amazing.
A local gift shop Sandwick Bay Candles posted a picture of a with the message “there’s a traitor on this island” written on the side, while the Blue Lobster cafe shared a video of a cloaked Stephen winking at the camera while drinking a coffee.
The post said they were “so extremely proud of this island lad for representing the Isle of Lewis with such impeccable style and so very graciously”.
Stephen said: “I went back home the other week, and I couldn’t believe the reaction of people on the island.
“I’m so proud of where I come from, and to know that they’re proud of the fact that I’ve done this is just, I can’t really put into words. I just can’t wait to get that wee ferry back and just see everyone again.”
/Studio Lambert/Paul ChappellsAfter winning the show, Stephen exclaimed: “I’m just a wee boy from the Isle of Lewis, this kind of stuff doesn’t happen to me.”
He previously spoke on the show about the difficulties of growing up gay on the island, which has a large religious community.
With his share of the prize money Stephen said he would give something back to his parents after they “gave up a lot” to put him through university, and would help his father – a butcher – pursue his passion for art.
Stephen, who now lives in London, also said he wants to get on the property ladder- and there maybe some left over to buy some more of the fabulous jumpsuits he became known for wearing.
He added watching the show, which was filmed over the summer, as it aired live made him realise how bad some of his strategies and decisions were – and on occasion, how close he came to being eliminated.
“I was amazed that I made it through some of those situations,” he said. “The thing is, as well, because I only knew what I knew in the castle, but when you’re watching it on TV, you’re seeing these side conversations that you’re not privy to, right?
“I was thinking, oh my goodness, everyone is saying my name, this is mental. So when I was watching it, I was thinking, oh my goodness, I could go out in this episode.”
Videos and memes of Stephen’s somewhat unconvincing poker face have gone viral, with clips of his dramatic facial expressions also being widely shared.
But in the end, he was glad to be able to remain faithful to his fellow traitor.
He added: “I’m so chuffed that both of us managed to hold our nerve, and really, at the end of the day, my decision was – I can’t win with Jack and Rachel, and I’d rather win with one person than just by myself.”