The Traitors explodes as first contestant is banished in brutal roundtable

THE TRAITORS exploded tonight as the first contestant was banished in a brutal roundtable.

Sonja, 66, was given the boot after receiving the most votes from her co-stars during the awkward meeting.

The volunteer business mentor confirmed she was a faithful after the decision was made, prompting Diane to oddly shriek with delight.

The reaction came as a surprise, since the cast had been hoping for a traitor to be banished from the game.

Diana apologised to the group, explaining in a piece-to-camera why she responded in the way that she did.

She said, "I got myself so worked up because I believed, absolutely, that she was a faithful.

"And as everybody was writing down and going for her, I was thinking, 'You've got this so wrong.'"

Ross, who had voted for Sonja, reflected, "I am devastated that there are two faithfuls gone but I was going on facts.

"Sonja made it quite easy for me to vote for her. Johnny did a little switcheroo at the end. He was looking at me from across the table. I'm gonna have to keep an eye on him, I think."

Earlier in the episode, the traitors chose their first victim.

As the cast flocked in for breakfast the next morning, they eventually realised Aubrey was missing.

Claudia Winkleman joined the group to announce that the 67-year-old from Loughborough had been 'murdered'.

One of the traitors explained why they had chosen him behind-the-scenes, saying: "I think it sends a message. I don't think anyone expects us who are here right now to choose Aubrey."

Ash added: "We have to take out the strongest link first."