A contestant on BBC's The Traitors was abruptly dumped from the programme following a dramatic episode.

The popular game show, now in its fourth series, returned to our screens on New Year's Day, with host Claudia Winkleman introducing this year's chosen Traitors - Stephen, 32, Hugo, 51, and Rachel, 42. However, this season introduced an unexpected twist: a Secret Traitor, whose identity remained concealed from both contestants and viewers.

In tonight's (January 8) gripping episode, the identity of the mysterious red-cloaked Traitor was finally unveiled, leading to an immediate departure of one participant in another surprising turn of events.

An earlier-than-usual round table discussion saw the players voicing their suspicions, culminating in the sudden exit of Faithful Ross Garshong.

During the intense discussion, Ross expressed his feeling of being "being set up" in previous episodes. He later elaborated on his comments about Netty, stating, "When I noticed Netty I had not initially planned to mention it.", reports Wales Online.

Ross further commented on the "suspicious" attempts to frame him as a Traitor, which led to Rachel dramatically asking, "Was Hugo this dramatic in the turret?" Ross responded with a puzzled, "What turret?".

Following six votes from contestants convinced he was a Traitor, he found himself expelled from the castle despite revealing his true status as a Faithful.

Ross, who faced scrutiny when his previous friendship with Netty emerged, secured the most votes, just edging past Reece who garnered five votes from wary participants.

Viewers were swift to voice their opinions on X, with one declaring: "This roundtable stressed ME out and I'm not even part of it."

Another commented: "Ross getting voted out because of Nettie, I know he's fuuuming with her."

A third exclaimed: "THIS IS AN OUTRAGE." Someone else wrote: "Poor Ross. They've had it in for him since day 1."

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One viewer raged: "I'm so p****. JUSTICE for Ross. Shut this show down."

It has subsequently emerged that he and fellow Faithful Ellie Buckley are actually romantically involved, with Ellie pledging to seek retribution on his behalf.

During Wednesday's episode, the Secret Traitor's identity was finally unveiled as viewers discovered it was Welsh contestant Fiona Hughes, a shocking twist that left both players and home audiences astounded.

With Hugo having been previously eliminated at the round table, the trio of remaining Traitors must persist in their efforts to mislead and misdirect the group to reach the finale and claim victory over the Faithfuls, systematically eliminating them one by one.

The Traitors continues tomorrow on BBC One at 8pm