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The Traitors’ hardest contestant: How Leanne Quigley may use 12-year military profession to outwit within the closing

With just hours to go until the The Traitors‘ final, who knows who the still-growing prize pot might end up with? 

While Francesca, granted The Seer superpower last night – meaning she’ll soon know that Charlotte is a Traitor, is the bookies’ new favourite to be a definite winner, there’s plenty of other Faithfuls determined to walk away with thousands. 

Leanne Quigley, 28, who self-styles as ‘Army Barbie’ – thanks to her flaxen hair, Hollywood teeth and penchant for fuchsia pink suits – might yet be the one to watch. 

The former squaddie, who served for 12 years in the military before quitting in 2023, certainly has the mettle needed to hold her own when the sleuth reality show reaches its crescendo at 8:30pm tonight. 

During an entire summer of filming in Scotland, the veteran kept schtum about serving for her country.  

Alongside her career in the Armed Forces, Leanne has also battled personal woes, including a difficult pregnancy and, while filming was taking place, her wife’s breast cancer battle. 

The penultimate episode of the BBC One show saw the beauty-loving mother-of-twins embark on a lucky streak during last night’s mission. 

Gambling during a task that involved pulling a string on a toy doll’s back to earn cash, she held her nerve and won £700, before deciding to take no more risks and bank the cash for the team. 

The Traitors contestant Leanne Quigley will be hoping for a slice of The Traitors prize pot tonight - the Armed Forces veteran, from Holywell in Wales, has used her 12 years in the military to get herself into the final

The Traitors contestant Leanne Quigley will be hoping for a slice of The Traitors prize pot tonight – the Armed Forces veteran, from Holywell in Wales, has used her 12 years in the military to get herself into the final 

On duty: The Army veteran pictured while serving abroad; Leanne left her home at 16 to join up, and has toured in seven countries for the British military

On duty: The Army veteran pictured while serving abroad; Leanne left her home at 16 to join up, and has toured in seven countries for the British military

The penultimate episode saw Leanne hold her nerve to bag £700 for the team in a nail-biting mission that involved sticking or twisting in the Doll's House

The penultimate episode saw Leanne hold her nerve to bag £700 for the team in a nail-biting mission that involved sticking or twisting in the Doll’s House

The challenge also showed off her impressive Army-honed physical fitness, as she sprinted to collect coins for the last part of the mission.    

However, an electrifying twist – where Francesca was awarded The Seer status – has seen the show thrown wide open, much to viewers’ delight.  

Here, FEMAIL looks at how Leanne, a Faithful from the off, could use her real-life experience to outwit those she’s shared a castle with. 

MILITARY TRAINED TO OUTWIT AT THE ROUND TABLE: LEANNE QUIGLEY’S 12 YEARS IN THE ARMED FORCES

If viewers needed any convincing that Leanne is a tough cookie, they need only browse her Instagram, where she has frequently shared snapshots of her life in the Armed Forces.

The veteran, 28, has deviously kept her career in the Armed Forces a secret from her fellow contestants on the show as part of her strategy to win.

Instead, Leanne – who is a Faithful – has successfully duped everyone into thinking she works as a nail technician to throw them off the scent.

However, in real life, Leanne left her family home in Holywell, Wales, as a 16-year-old to serve for her country. 

Her physical fitness has been seen on a number of challenges in the show, including the episode before the final when she sprinted to fetch coins.

After managing to score a huge number of coins, she quipped: ‘All those physical training instructors in the Army will be like, if only she’d worked that hard for us!’

Serving for her country: On her social media, Leanne, from Flintshire, has proudly shown off many glimpses at her 12 years of serving on the front line

Serving for her country: On her social media, Leanne, from Flintshire, has proudly shown off many glimpses at her 12 years of serving on the front line

But in October, she revealed that she was leaving the army on Instagram, writing: 'A career of over 12 years comes to an end and I¿m so proud to have served for our country. I¿m ready for my next chapter'

But in October, she revealed that she was leaving the army on Instagram, writing: ‘A career of over 12 years comes to an end and I’m so proud to have served for our country. I’m ready for my next chapter’

Initially, Leanne - who is a Faithful - has successfully duped everyone into thinking she works as a nail technician to throw them off the scent

Initially, Leanne – who is a Faithful – has successfully duped everyone into thinking she works as a nail technician to throw them off the scent

On social media, Leanne has frequently shared photos of her life in the Army
...including serving in Kenya, and sitting on the wing of a military aircraft

On social media, Leanne has frequently shared photos of her life in the Army, including serving in Kenya, and sitting on the wing of a military aircraft

Force to be reckoned with: Leanne pictured in the penultimate episode with her fellow contestants, from left: Charlotte, Jake, Alexander, Leanne, Freddie - who was banished - and Francesca

Force to be reckoned with: Leanne pictured in the penultimate episode with her fellow contestants, from left: Charlotte, Jake, Alexander, Leanne, Freddie – who was banished – and Francesca

The tattooed ex squaddie is big on glamour, with her blonde extensions looking immaculate throughout the show

The tattooed ex squaddie is big on glamour, with her blonde extensions looking immaculate throughout the show

On her social media, Leanne has proudly shown off many glimpses at her 12 years of serving on the front line.

One photo shows colleagues at Nanyuki in Kenya on the line of the equator during a tour of duty while, also in the African nation, there’s also photos of The Traitors star visiting a children’s orphanage. 

Other snapshots show the action woman abseiling and skiing during her time serving, and on Remembrance Day, a photo montage of her time in the services during Covid, saying: ‘I hope this time next year the world is back to normal and Remembrance Day can be full of parades across the country as it should be. 

‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.’

But in October, she revealed that she was leaving the army on Instagram, writing: ‘A career of over 12 years comes to an end and I’m so proud to have served for our country. I’m ready for my next chapter.’

LIFE ON CIVVY STREET: A LOVING FIANCEE AND A BEAUTY JOB

Leanne has shared moments from her personal life throughout too, including this photo of her being proposed to by partner Sophie Jones

Leanne has shared moments from her personal life throughout too, including this photo of her being proposed to by partner Sophie Jones

'I would love the opportunity to have another baby, hopefully have a bit of a better experience. And to make our family a bit bigger.'

‘I would love the opportunity to have another baby, hopefully have a bit of a better experience. And to make our family a bit bigger.’

She said: ‘I went through IVF with my boys, and I was very poorly throughout my pregnancy, and then I went into early labour at six months’

The couple are also the proud parents of two-year-old twin boys, and Leanne revealed that is was during her pregnancy that she had decided to take part in The Traitors

The couple are also the proud parents of two-year-old twin boys, and Leanne revealed that is was during her pregnancy that she had decided to take part in The Traitors

She explained that she watched the first series of the popular show while she was pregnant and Sophie had suggested that she give it a go

She explained that she watched the first series of the popular show while she was pregnant and Sophie had suggested that she give it a go

Speaking to the BBC ahead of her debut on the show, Leanne said she thought she would be able to bring lots of 'enthusiasm' to the castle

Speaking to the BBC ahead of her debut on the show, Leanne said she thought she would be able to bring lots of ‘enthusiasm’ to the castle

Wednesday night saw Leanne be gifted a shield from returning contestant Fozia, meaning she has immunity from the next murder (pictured)

Wednesday night saw Leanne be gifted a shield from returning contestant Fozia, meaning she has immunity from the next murder (pictured)

Last year, Leanne also got engaged, after her partner Sophie Jones got down on one knee in August.

The couple are also the proud parents of two-year-old twin boys, and Leanne revealed that is was during her pregnancy that she had decided to take part in The Traitors.

She explained that she watched the first series of the popular show while she was pregnant and Sophie had suggested that she give it a go.

Speaking to the BBC ahead of her debut on the show, Leanne said she thought she would be able to bring lots of ‘enthusiasm’ to the castle. 

She said: ‘I think I will bring a lot of enthusiasm. I’m a really enthusiastic person. I always, even if there are things I don’t want to do, try and do it with enthusiasm, because it’s best to bring a bit of light into a dark situation.

‘I’ve rewatched the show again this week, and I’ve been looking at it in a different light and trying to understand how stressful it is, how stressful it is going to be, and just trying to process that and understand it.

‘So, I just think, if I can be my enthusiastic self, it can just try and make that situation a little bit brighter for everyone else as well. Hopefully.’  

LEANNE’S WIFE’S BREAST CANCER BATTLE DURING FILMING

The Traitors star Leanne Quigley (L) has revealed her fiancée Sophie Jones (R) has been given the all clear after secretly batting breast cancer

The Traitors star Leanne Quigley (L) has revealed her fiancée Sophie Jones (R) has been given the all clear after secretly batting breast cancer  

She also shared snaps of herself sat with Sophie in hospital as well as a photo of them holding hands (pictured together in 2024)

She also shared snaps of herself sat with Sophie in hospital as well as a photo of them holding hands (pictured together in 2024)

Leanne revealed on social media last month that her fiancée Sophie has been given the all clear after secretly batting breast cancer.

The ex-soldier, 28, who shares two-year-old twin boys with her partner, took to Instagram with an emotional post, with show host Claudia Winkleman quick to send her best wishes.

Leanne spoke of her relief that her partner had defeated the disease, after the devastating diagnosis and subsequent cancer battle ‘killed them both inside’.

Leanne penned: ' This is the only news we needed and wanted. On the 31st July 2024 my partner, and the mother of my children was diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer. Watching the person you love fight through chemotherapy is up there with the worst things on earth'

Leanne penned: ‘ This is the only news we needed and wanted. On the 31st July 2024 my partner, and the mother of my children was diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer. Watching the person you love fight through chemotherapy is up there with the worst things on earth’

Host Claudia shared support with a string of love heart emojis

Host Claudia shared support with a string of love heart emojis

She also shared snaps of herself sat with Sophie in hospital during treatment as well as a photo of them holding hands. 

Leanne penned: ‘This is the only news we needed and wanted. On the 31st July 2024 my partner, and the mother of my children was diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer. Watching the person you love fight through chemotherapy is up there with the worst things on earth’.

‘We quickly learnt to never take anything for granted ever again, and sadly had to learn that tomorrow is never promised and fear of the unknown literally killed us inside’.