Spoiler warning: This article contains details of the final episode of The Traitors.

Friends and family of Traitors finalist Rachel Duffy celebrated in her home city of Newry as she won the latest series of the latest BBC series.

Duffy, as well as her co-traitor Stephen, managed to snuff out the competition in Friday night’s final to take home half of the show’s £95,750 prize pot.

The pair took out three other Faithfuls – Jade, Faraaz and Jack – around the final roundtable to take home the massive cash prize.

Members of Duffy’s family gathered in Newry on Friday evening to watch their traitor live to see off another round table.

There was rapturous applause and tears as Rachel’s family discovered their much loved sister, friend and mum is coming home a winner.

Rachel’s sister Joanne said it was a night of mixed emotions, from thinking her sister would be booted out before the final to having “absolute admiration”.

“I couldn’t believe it, every time she got further and further I was so proud of her,” she said.

There was a surprise visit from Rachel via FaceTime shortly after the final result was revealed, but Joanne said they couldn’t hear due to the “proud roaring, shouting and screaming” in the room.

Rachel had previously said she wanted to use the prize money to make memories with her mother, who has dementia, which Joanne said showed her true character.

“Because Rachel wanted to get in there and get that money for mummy and what she wanted it for meant that it meant so much more than just the money,” she added.

Joanne also praised Stephen’s alliance to her sister: “If he thinks Rachel would have been hard to talk to, I would have been worse.”

Darren Mullen, Rachel’s brother, said after Thursday night’s cliffhanger they were unsure whether to hold the watch party.

“She’s been superb from the start, she’s played the role of a traitor brilliantly.

“She’s played the game, she’s not a naturally deceptive person, you could see during it she wasn’t comfortable in certain instances but it’s been unbelievable,” he told BBC News NI.

Darren said his sister is usually calm and collective, but is “hugely competitive” and has represented both the family and the city of Newry well.

He also praised Rachel’s co-winner Stephen for keeping their traitorous pact.

“There’ll be a pint for him whenever I see him again, he kept his promise fair play,” he joked.

Posters lining the walls of one watch party read: ‘Our Rachel, The Ultimate Traitor’.

But the “green cloaked baddie” is more of a “softie at heart” according to lifelong friend Maria Keenan.

“Rachel has such a presence, she lights up every room and behind all of the treachery, she is so genuine and warm,” she said.

In a room filled with Rachel’s family and friends, one little voice could be heard amongst all the noise.

On repeat, it rung out: “Good luck, Mummy”.

Earlier, Duffy’s best friend Kathy McCaughey said the “candles are lit” and prayers are being said in the hope she can win the game’s cash prize.

Speaking to BBC Radio’s Good Morning Ulster, McCaughey said she had long been a fan of The Traitors, but seeing her best friend compete has been “so strange”.

“From Rachel was a wee girl, honest to God she just loved party games,” she said.

“That carried through to her teenage years, I mean she was a quiz fanatic, treasure hunt fanatic and I think she is just playing an excellent game.”

Duffy, 42, who works in strategic communications, has previously described herself as a “sociable person that loves finding out things”, but someone who is also very competitive.

“I will do anything to win. Nothing’s off the table,” she said.

In Newry excitement was building ahead of the final.

For some, tuning into The Traitors has become the “pinnacle” of their week.

Especially for Orla, Caite and Iona, who are pupils of Duffy’s old school – Sacred Heart Grammar.

The friends confessed to “staying up past bedtime” to watch their favourite traitor plot her next play.

“Rachel is the most epic comeback kid,” said Caite.

“She is so clever and the FBI training was a great idea.”

The trio said their group chat has been “popping off” and they are rooting for “Rachel all the way”.

Jewellery store manager Gemma Murphy said everyone in her Hill Street store is an avid fan of the BBC series, and they even had their own Traitors-themed dinner recently.

“Everybody in Newry is just so proud,” she said.

“The obstacles she has faced and overcome is an absolute credit to her that contestants don’t want to believe she is a traitor.”

In the Buttercrane shopping centre, staff in Louis Boyd clothing boutique were talking about only one thing, and that is Rachel Duffy.

“Rachel has really put Newry on the map,” said shop owner Gary Boyd.

“There is a real buzz around the town and she has played an absolute blinder.

“Rachel and her family are great people, what an advertisement for Newry, the Traitors is all anyone is talking about.”

Self professed Traitors superfan Aideen Dunn said the Newry traitor is “doing us mummies proud”.

Dunn who is originally from Dublin, had applied for the Irish version of the show, which was recorded last year.

She said: “Rachel is such a strong example of a fierce working mum, and what a delight she has been to watch.

“I love how true she has been to herself and her story about caring for her mum with dementia has really touched all of us.”

Former Traitors contestant Diane Carson from Bangor, County Down, became a fan favourite thanks to her no-nonsense demeanor – she said she too would be watching the final with interest.

She said for Duffy to be eliminated from the show on a 50/50 game of chance would be a “horrendous way to go”.

“She’s a very clever player and she’s proved herself as such and she’s swayed everybody,” Carson said.

“She beat off two very fierce attacks from Harriet and Fiona. So she’s every chance of taking it home, really.”