Heartbreaking reason Traitors winner Rachel Duffy was unable to spend her prize money on her dying mum
Rachel's mum Anne died days after her daughter won the BBC series
Rachel Duffy shared the heartbreaking reason she was unable to take her mum Anne on holiday after she won £47,875 on The Traitors.
During the show, Rachel had said that she wanted to take Anne on holiday to “make memories with her while she still had her memories”. Anne had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s when she was 47, and later dementia.
However, days after Rachel won the Traitors with co-star Stephen Libby, she revealed that her beloved mum had died.
And, although the show was filmed months ago, a reported delay in receiving her winnings and Anne’s deteriorating health sadly meant that they were unable to go on their longed-for holiday together.
Traitors star’s plans for her winnings
Rachel won The Traitors on Friday night (January 23).
Speaking to the Daily Mail the morning after the final aired on BBC One, Rachel said that she wanted to spend her winnings on Anne.
She shared: “I haven’t spent any of the money yet. I think I’m going to sit down with the kids, my husband and my mum and just think what could we do to have fun together. It’s a hard one because the show was recorded in May. At that time her condition wasn’t as severe as it is now, so she’s not fit to travel as much.”
Rachel added: “We’re trying to do something closer to home so I can’t wait to just sit in front of her and say: ‘Mummy, what do you want to do, what can we do that you would just love?’ God only knows what she’s going to say, but I can’t wait!”
She also shared how “proud” Anne was of her daughter.
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Rachel Duffy announces the death of her mum Anne
Sadly, on Tuesday (January 27), Rachel revealed that Anne had died.
In a statement posted to social media, she said: “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beautiful wee mummy. We kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves during this difficult time.”
Have The Traitors winners received their prize money yet?
It’s still unclear. Earlier this week, Rachel’s Traitors co-star Stephen Libby appeared on This Morning (Monday, January 26). And he revealed that his share of the winnings still hadn’t been paid into his bank account.
“It’s not in there yet. But, yeah, I’m not checking because I just want to get a nice surprise when it finally comes in. But yeah, not yet,” he said.
Previous winners have explained that the winnings aren’t usually paid out until after the series airs. But viewers are now calling on the BBC to play fair and pay up.
One commented on social media after Stephen’s This Morning appearance: “I can understand them not paying until it was aired. As expect a non-disclosure was signed. But should have been sent for first thing today.”
TVG has contacted reps for comment.
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