Fans of BBC's The Traitors have come up with a way to detect the red-cloaked secret Traitor after a huge blunder. The murder-mystery favourite returned to screens on New Year's Day with a major twist.

Host Claudia Winkleman selected her regular three green-cloaked Traitors - Stephen, Rachel and Hugo. However, in a turn of events, she revealed that there would be a fourth Traitor, who would be shrouded in secrecy as their identity remains a mystery to those playing the game and the audience at home. As part of their role, the secret Traitor creates a shortlist of three potential Faithful to murder - with the choice left to the other Traitors. In the first episode, it was revealed that they had chosen James, Netty and Maz to be up for the chop, but fans spotted one mistake which could lead to their downfall. Eagle-eyed viewers noted Netty's name was incorrectly spelled as "Nettie". Taking to Twitter/X, fans were delighted with the mishap as then insisted on focusing on the handwriting when the contestants gathered at the roundtable.

One fan wrote: "Jade's handwriting is the only one that, to my eye, even comes close to the secret traitors... but did anyone else clock that Jack's handwriting wasn't shown at all?

"And sadly no 'Netty' spelt as 'Nettie' - that would've given the whole thing away. #Traitors #TheTraitorsUK."

Another suggested: "Also wondering if they've got a random producer or somebody to write the names down on the murder list so we can't analyse the handwriting because I know we were all doing this too #traitors #TheTraitorsUK."

While a third penned: "If you were the uber-traitor you would use different handwriting for the kill menu and the round table and misspell the odd name just for added fun. #Traitors."

One more added: "Rachel has an advantage over the other Traitors as she's seen the secret Traitor's handwriting. I'll be studying and comparing the writing on those slates at the first round table! #Traitors #TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUK."

Speaking about the huge change on this year's series, Mike Cotton, the Creative Director at Studio Lambert, explained: "Each series is like its own murder mystery. We never change the core game, but we always work in twists. We thought it would be interesting if you didn't know who one of the Traitors was.

"As Claudia says in the show, the secret Traitors reign will go on until the others earn the power back. The Traitors are used to having all of the power, so it will be interesting to see how they navigate that and if they can use it to their advantage."

The Traitors continues Saturday at 7.45pm on BBC One and iPlayer.