Here's what's got me talking this week...
It's that time of the week again where I take a look back at the last 7 days to see what has got me talking the most.
From The Traitors (obviously) to Brassic and more, here are my 4 telly talking points of the week...
1
THE TRAITORS
being the best show on telly
⚠︎ CONTAINS SPOILERS ⚠︎
We're not even a month in to 2025, but already I can confidently say that this series of The Traitors, might just be the best show, certainly reality TV show, that we'll see all year. Or at least until Celebrity Traitors launches later this year.
The are so many things I love about The Traitors, and this series in particular has proven the format's longevity. Of course as a player you can go in there with a gameplan, but you're not in control of how others will play the game, or even if you'll be playing as a Faithful or a Traitor.
But it's important to keep the format fresh and not allow the players to suspect any twists that could coome their way. And that's what this series excelled in, from the three players forced to get off the train before even reaching the castle, the fate of four players lying in the outcome of a Death Match game to of course the Seer revelation just before the final, this series really kept not just the players, but the viewers at home from getting complacent.
At the start of the series, Claudia revealed to the players that when it comes to the final, Traitors and Faithfuls will no longer be allowed to reveal their true identity when they're banished. And it was only when she revealed the Seer twist in episode 11, that the reason for this change became clear. The seer would be given the privilige of finding out the true identity of one player.
After winning the power of the Seer, Francesca chose Charlotte to reveal her true position in the game, not knowing that Charlotte was the last Traitor standing. In Friday's epic final episode, with Francesca now knowing the truth, Charlotte doubled down on her lies, by trying to convince the rest of the players that Francesca is lying. But sadly for her, they didn't buy her tears.
Charlotte was the first player to be banished, leaving four Faithfuls still in the game. But with no confirmation as to whether or not Charlotte was or wasn't a Traitor, the Faithfuls chose to banish two more times, believing that two Traitors were still in the game.
Those two players were Alexander and Francesca who just missed out on a share of the £94,600 prize pot, meaning that the series was won by Leanne and Jake who after confirming their Faithful status, were able to split the prize money between them.
In my opinion, the greatest reality TV presenters are those who truly love the show they're presenting. They're as invested as we are. And whilst that was true of Davina McCall when she hosted Big Brother and more recently My Mum, Your Dad, and Caroline Flack when she hosted Love Island, it's also true of Claudia Winkleman. She adores The Traitors, and it shows.
Amongst all the gameplay and drama, my favourite moment of the final was Claudia's reaction to Leanne and Jake winning. Genuine elation and genuine tears. Not to mention her brilliant parting gift as they made their way into the castle "I can't wait for you to find out where Charlotte is from."
Friday's final was watched by a staggering 7.4 million people, which is almost 2 million more than last year’s final (5.5m) and The Traitors: Uncloaked which aired straight after, also reached an all-time high with 4.8 million viewers.
With such strong overnights and a launch episode that's already consolodating over 10 million, The Traitors is showing no signs of slowing down and yes, I am already wishing the year away so that I can obsess over series 4 in January 2026.
The Traitors is available now on BBC iPlayer
2
GAVIN & STACEY
ending with record ratings
On Christmas Day 2019, Gavin & Stacey returned after 10 years away and was watched by 11.6m viewers, rising to 18.5m after 28 days and became the most-watched TV comedy since current records began in 2002.
Fast-forward five years and Gavin & Stacey: The Finale has broken its own records with 12.3m people tuning in on Christmas Day 2024 to find out if Smithy accepted Nessa's proposal and to see how James Corden and Ruth Jones would bring the show to an end after 17 years.
This week, the BBC revealed that after 28 days of consolidation, Gavin & Stacey: The Finale has beaten 2019's number with 20.9m viewers. Making it the most-watched scripted show across broadcasters and streamers since records began. Not bad for a show that launched with just over half a million viewers on BBC Three back in 2007.
Speaking about the ratings success of their finale earlier this month, James Corden and Ruth Jones said "We are completely overwhelmed by the audience response to our show and to these astonishing viewing figures. Gavin & Stacey really does belong to the audience and we are beyond thrilled that so many people enjoyed watching it this Christmas. A huge thank you to Charlotte Moore and the BBC for backing us these past 17 years."
And they're right to call those numbers astonishing. They really are. Especially when you consider the constant decline in live viewing. It's proved that when the right show comes around, it really can be appointment view and deliver the numbers.
But can the BBC ever match or top those numbers again? I'm not sure... maybe only if they were to bring back Only Fools & Horses. Because I wanted to know what others thought, I asked the question to my followers on X and it's well worth a scroll with Miranda and Line of Duty seeming popular. See for yourself here and let me know which show you think could do it!
Gavin & Stacey is available now on BBC iPlayer
3
PHIL MITCHELL'S
mental health storyline in EastEnders
In recent months, we've seen Phil Mitchell withdraw from his family and friends, following Sharon’s newfound relationship with his cousin Teddy, the breakdown of his marriage to Kat, and Ben’s incarceration in America.
This week, EastEnders revealed details about a new mental health storyline that will see Phil Mitchell's mental health continue to decline as he attempts to hide his depression from those around him. The storyline will see Phil attempt to take his own life whilst experiencing depression with psychotic symptoms.
The storyline will follow Phil, and the characters closest to him, as he reaches crisis point and starts to believe his life is no longer worth living.
They also announced that Jaime Winstone will reprise the role of Peggy Mitchell in an upcoming episode as part of Phil’s ongoing mental health storyline.
As Phil’s depression takes hold and his psychotic symptoms intensify, he'll experience symptoms of psychosis in the form of hallucinations, depicting scenes from the Mitchell family home in 1985.
During his hallucinations, Phil will act as a bystander to a pivotal moment from his adolescence. As Phil’s negative internal dialogue worsens, the hallucinations will also transcend into Phil’s life as he starts to converse with the characters from his past, as well as his former younger self back in Walford in The Square and at No.55.
Also returning to the roles they played in a special Mitchell flashback episode in September 2022, will be George Russo as Eric Mitchell, Daniel Delaney as Phil Mitchell and Teddy Jay as Grant Mitchell. They'll be joined by Sam Miles, who joins to play a young Nigel Bates.
EastEnders is working closely with The Samaritans, Rethink Mental Illness, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), and Mind to ensure Phil’s depression story is portrayed as accurately and as sensitively as possible.
EastEnders continues Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One with first look episodes available from 6am on BBC iPlayer
4
BRASSIC
ending for good after Series 7
Brassic is one of my favourite new comedies of recent years, so when news broke on Wednesday that its next series, will be its last, I was gutted. I selfishly wanted it to go on forever. But once I got over the shock, I'm glad for two things.
And two, that they're able to finish the series the way they want to. We've been promised that the story will be wrapped up in unforgettable 'Brassic style', a privilige that most series don't get. They begin to rate badly and then that's it. No closure for its fans.
When Series 7, which has just started production, airs on Sky Max later this year, it'll mark the last chapter for the unruly gang, who are promising to go out with a bang and with even more of the madness and mayhem that fans have cherished over the years.
Fans of the franchise can expect one last whirlwind round of escapades, raucous adventure, and mischief from Vinnie, played by Joe Gilgun, and co. Returning cast members for the final series include Joe Gilgun as Vinnie, Ryan Sampson as Tommo, Michelle Keegan as Erin, Aaron Heffernan as Ashley, Parth Thakerar as JJ, Joanna Higson as Sugar and Steve Evets as Jim.
At launch, Brassic was the best-performing new Sky Original comedy in seven years and has since gone on to be the most watched Sky Original comedy of all time. The most recent series, six, continued to be loved by audiences delivering the highest audiences of the last three years. It recently won Best Returning Comedy at the I Talk Telly Awards.
Brassic returns later this year on Sky Max
Comments