The Traitors viewers are left surprised by new twist as Roxy reveals fellow contestant Judy is her MOTHER – however vows to maintain it secret as a result of ‘when you come as a pair it is like an alliance’

The Traitors viewers were stunned when Roxy revealed that fellow contestant Judy is her mother during the first episode of the BBC show’s new series.

The pair entered the contest separately and have not revealed their connection to their co-stars, but viewers were clued in on the huge secret very early on, compared to past series.

With Judy’s name being brought up as a potential Traitor on the first night, Roxy was feeling protective.

Bosses shared with the Daily Mail that they never plan when they will reveal a secret relationship to viewers; they do so when it naturally feels right.

Roxy warned her mother, who is a faithful but could be the secret Traitor, that she could be at risk of being banished.

Then, speaking to the camera, she said: ‘James is running wild, saying Judy is a Traitor. I don’t know if she is a Traitor or not.

The Traitors viewers were stunned when Roxy revealed that fellow contestant Judy is her mother during the first episode of the BBC show’s new series

Judy adopted Roxy when she was four years old and said it is the best thing she has ever done

‘Judy seems lovely, but I’m bound to say that… considering she is my mum. Keeping it secret just because if you come in as a pair it is almost like an alliance. 

‘I feel super protective of her, and hearing anyone cast doubt on her for her actions is just generally not nice.’

Judy, 60, adopted Roxy, 32, when she was four years old and said it is the best thing she has ever done.

‘She is just an amazing person, inside and out. Don’t ever underestimate her because she is a very strong person as well,’ Judy said.

Opening up ahead of her appearance, Roxy shared that the first six years of her life were rocky, but hopes her live experience can get her far in the competition.

She said: ‘The first six years of my life were a little rocky, and I think having that lived experience of adapting to different situations, meeting different people, figuring out who to trust, I thought those skills that have come from unfortunate circumstances, would actually take me really far on the show.’

In a conversation, alongside Amanda, Roxy warned Judy: ‘People are putting a lot of heat on you. I don’t want you to go, so maybe get round the group.’

Judy responded: ‘I’m telling you now, people are just throwing people under the bus, because how can you tell in a couple of days.’

‘Judy seems lovely, but I’m bound to say that… considering she is my mum,’ Roxy told viewers. ‘Keeping it secret just because if you come in as a pair it is almost like an alliance’ 

With Judy’s name being brought up as a potential Traitor on the first night, Roxy was feeling protective

‘I’ve heard my name has been pushed around a lot, but at the moment we’ve had a talk and, knowing Roxy, she is trying to protect me and give me advice. She is going to protect me all the way,’ Judy told the camera.

It is not the first time there has been a secret connection on the show, and viewers became obsessed with the iconic moment when Diane revealed that Ross is her son during series 2.

And on the first series, Alex Gray and Tom Elderfield hid the fact they were a couple until dramatic scenes where Tom told their co-stars.

When asked how secret relationships can change the game, host Claudia Winkleman told the Daily Mail: ‘It takes us as viewers on a real ride as we want to shout at the telly. I think it would be lovely to have someone you know in there with you.

‘But as we know, it doesn’t always help. “But Ross Is” is tattooed on my forehead. It isn’t. But I like the idea of it.’

Bosses shared with the Daily Mail that they never plan when they will reveal a secret relationship to viewers; they do so when it naturally feels right 

Prior to entering the competition, Judy revealed she wants to spend the prize money on her family and spending time with her 11 grandkids.

And explaining how she would spend the large sum of cash, Roxy added: ‘I’ve got a big family. I would love to take all of those guys away and just do something nice as a family unit. I’d also use the money to start a family with my boyfriend.’

Roxy has since revealed that she is expecting her first child with her partner. In December, she shared a picture of her baby scan and wrote: ‘No caption can explain this feeling, the best by far is yet to come.’

The Traitors continues on January 2 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.