*Warning: This contains spoilers for The Traitors season 2 episode 7
The country is in mourning, according to The Traitors followers on social media, following the vicious and wild’murder’ of one of the BBC show’s most beloved Faithfuls to date.
While the death of the beloved footballer has grieved spectators, it has sparked a rush of wonderful memes and quips, including a beautifully strange (or scary) connection to megahit film Saltburn.
Before we go into the best of what the internet has to offer, let’s go over the surprising happenings. Final warning: turn away now if you don’t want spoilers.
During Friday’s episode, the three traitors were accused of murdering a faithful by forcing them to drink from a poisoned chalice, with all indications that the victim was Diane.
Diane did indeed take a taste of the drink that Traitor Miles had given her, which should have’murdered’ her, as stated at the outset of Wednesday’s broadcast.
However, host Claudia Winkleman revealed to the group over breakfast that the ‘poison didn’t work with immediate effect’ and instead the ‘murdered’ contestant would die at the end of the next mission.
‘Think of today, if you will, as a slow march to certain death,’ she intoned.
For the task, the participants had to stage a funeral procession to determine which of them had been poisoned.
As the players walked along a pathway, they had to answer questions to uncover who was safe and who was at jeopardy of being ‘murdered.’
The final three contestants – Diane, Paul and Evie – each had to get into a coffin while the others watched.
The remaining players had to cast their vote for who they thought had been poisoned by throwing a flower into their coffin, and if they chose correctly, the team would win £7,000.
They rightly assumed it was Diane, and she was hidden in the coffin before Claudia commended her as a ‘great player.’
Now that we’re up to speed, let’s see how The Traitors fans on X responded.
Saltburn grave scene, yes really
Me watching Diane getting into her coffin #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/KpYzQBW3Eu
— SHANE REACTION (@imshanereaction) January 17, 2024
The nation is mourning
https://twitter.com/Tweet_Dec/status/1747730645088973180
Smile though your heart is breaking
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/Ji1kUa9Q07
— SHANE REACTION (@imshanereaction) January 17, 2024
A sly Paddington Bear switch
thank you for everything ma'am#TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/SKPy8H993b
— 𝑆𝐼𝐴𝑁 𝑇𝐻𝑌𝑀𝐸𝑆 🫧 (@SianThymes) January 17, 2024
‘Obsessed’
diane getting an entire episode dedicated to her demise complete with funeral and an actual grave is so camp… i’m obsessed #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/5lHG8ULoyC
— Ruby Naldrett (@rubynaldrett) January 17, 2024
A Holly Willoughby send-off
Please check in with your gay friends,. We are 100% shook, mourning, and fed by that state funeral. #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/D2YS0HUAX2
— Jamie (@JTWilsn) January 17, 2024
Would I Lie To You?
https://twitter.com/atxlands/status/1747731954143744142
England’s rose will not be forgotton
goodbye England’s rose. Diane you will always be the queen of our hearts RIP #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/7UvtVkrbuu
— tiger b (@tiger_brooke) January 17, 2024
Even Diane herself weighed in…
View this post on Instagram
She could not be more iconic. At least she got the send-off she deserved.
The Traitors continues tomorrow at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.