The Traitors banish ANOTHER Faithful as Matthew Hyndman is eliminated in tense roundtable with a major twist as finale approaches

It was another bad day for the Believers, who exiled one of their own just days before Friday’s final.

On Wednesday’s episode of The Traitors, Matthew Hyndman was eliminated in an explosive roundtable, leaving only seven cast members remaining.

And there was a big change at the round table; Rachel Duffy and Stephen Libby (both traitors) had to choose a Loyalist to whom they would give the ceremonial dagger.

Whoever held the dagger received a double vote, and with only a few days left until the final, it had the potential to change the game.

They gave the dagger to James Baker, and as the Traitors had hoped, he went after Matthew, leading the majority of the group in that direction.

After Matthew revealed that he was Faithful, the remaining contestants became suspicious of each other. With the finale reaching a touching distance and the chance to win up to £120,000, tensions began to mount.

James Baker, wielding a dagger, headed towards Matthew, leading the majority of the group in that direction, much to his dismay.

While traitors Rachel and Stephen got away with murder, Faraaz Noor eventually went after them.

She told Rachel: ‘I think it could be Jade or Stephen and I think the other one could be you. I guess what happened with Fiona was Traitor and Traitor and you got rid of it. Listen, doubt all you want, blame everything.’

He calmly dismissed the matter and said jokingly: ‘If I were a Traitor, I would kill you on the first night.’

The episode ended with the Traitors thinking of their next move which would be to kill Faraaz or Roxy Wilson and viewers will find out the outcome in Thursday’s episode.

There was a tense atmosphere in Traitors Tower, with both Rachel and Stephen nervous about the deal they had made earlier in the series.

While committing a murder in front of the family tree, they promised not to betray each other or vote for each other at the round table in hopes of winning the series as a duo.

But in a game based on lies, deception and psychological strategy, it’s no surprise that they’re both on edge.

Stephen said to Rachel: ‘Now I need to know that we will reach the end.’

It was another bad day for the Faithful, who exiled one of their own just days before Friday’s finale.

There was a tense atmosphere in Traitors Tower, with both Rachel and Stephen nervous about the deal they made earlier in the series

A major change occurred at the round table when Rachel Duffy and Stephen Libby, both traitors, handed the ceremonial dagger to Faithful James.

He replied: ‘Ever since I came here I made a promise and told you that I would not break that promise. Please remember, no one can stand behind anyone at this point, and if you hear anyone repeating that I’m talking about you, it’s because I have to protect our alliance.’

But still having doubts, Stephen told the camera: ‘I’m worried right now. Maybe I was blind because I wasn’t actively discussing whether or not someone was bringing up Rachel.

‘He may not write my name on the chalkboard, but that doesn’t stop him from sowing seeds of doubt against me.

‘If I find out he’s coming against me behind my back, then let the game begin.’

Traitors continues on January 22 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.