BEST TWIST EVER

Red cloak leaves viewers in dark

- NICOLA METHVEN

WHAT'S even more dastardly than a Traitor? How about a Secret Traitor whose identity is hidden from the other Traitors... and even from the viewers at home?

The mysterious red-cloaked figure was announced as the fourth series of the BBC hit began last night.

In the latest surprise twist to the show's format, the Secret Traitor will have the power to dictate a shortlist of potential murder victims every night.

The rest of the Traitors will then have to choose which one to eliminate.

"It's really fantastic for the Secret Traitor, they're having the time of their lives," host Claudia Winkleman said at a screening to launch the series.

Asked why they'd brought in the Secret Traitor twist, producer Mike Cotton explained: "The Traitors are used to having all of the power, and for once they don't. It'll be interesting to see how they navigate that.

"Since series one, people have said 'wouldn't it be interesting if the viewers didn't know who the Traitors are?'

"We don't agree with that - knowing who the Traitors are and seeing their duplicity is what makes it so great.

"But we did think it would be interesting if they didn't know who one of them was. It might change the conversation slightly."

Claudia, 53, said: "It's for the people who watch and endlessly go - 'how do they not know?'

"Like my dad, who's constantly like, 'It's just there. So I like the idea - OK, have a go."