The Traitors winner Rachel Duffy reveals heartbreaking news that her mother has died days after her series four win
The Traitors winner Rachel Duffy has announced that her mother has died, days after her series four win was televised.
Rachel took to Instagram where she shared the sad news with her followers.
She said in a statement on her story: “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beautiful wee mummy. We kindly ask for privacy as out family grieves during this difficult time.”
It comes after Rachel beame the first female traitor to win the UK series, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch as she claimed victory alongside her fellow traitor Stephen in the show’s climactic moment. The finale episode of series four aired on BBC One on Friday, January 23, with Rachel and Stephen walking away with £47,975 each.
Throughout the show, the 42-year-old Head of Communications revealed that she wanted to use her winning to help create new memories with her mother, who suffered from Parkinson’s and dementia, by taking her on holiday.
After her win was revealed, Rachel told BBC News NI: “I rang my mummy this morning… I can't wait to come home and give her a big hug and say what will we do? Anything you want let's go do it.. so yeah as long as I get to spoil my family that's all I care about. She (Rachel's mum) didn't get all the twists and the turns but she's enjoyed watching it. She's very proud."
Rachel even shared a photograph of her mum Anne proudly holding a t-shirt emblazoned with ‘my daughter’s a traitor’ during the show’s run.
During an emotional moment on The Traitors, Rachel opened up to her fellow players about her mum’s condition and what the prize money could mean for her family.
She said: “I would like to do something for my mummy... who has been very ill for a long time. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when she was only 47. And I’ve watched her my whole adult life just put her whole life on hold for other people.
“And she was diagnosed with dementia recently. And all she wants to do is go on holiday. I think if I were to win the money, it would be to take her and my kids on a holiday and make memories while she still has her memories.”
Rachel added at the time: “Any time I have a wobble, I just think of my three beautiful kids’ faces and my mum and obviously my husband. I think life is so short and so precious. I really, really want it for my mum because she did everything for us. I think now it’s her time for us to look after her.