Looking for your next binge-watch? Click here so our latest TV recommendations stay at the top of your Google feed.
There's only one week until The Traitors finale, but this season has already been shaping up to be one of the most explosive yet, from Secret Traitor Fiona going against fellow Traitor Rachel, to Harriet's sacrifice to prove that Rachel is, in fact, a Traitor.
However, one person who's been bang on the money is Jessie. She's been great at sniffing out who the Traitors are, correctly suspecting Stephen and being on the ball with her 'Library Five' theory, helping to banish Fiona.
Here's everything you need to know about Jessie from series four of The Traitors.
Who is Jessie from Traitors?
Jessie Stride is a 28-year-old hairstylist from Hull and a Faithful contestant.
In the first episode she shared with her fellow cast members that she has a stammer.
"Because I have a stammer, I can't hide who I am, and it has helped me be an authentic person, because I just can't hide it," she said.
Why did Jessie apply for Traitors?
"I applied to challenge myself, and I love meeting people," Jessie told the BBC ahead of the show's release. "I know it will test me, which is good and what I need."
Is Jessie dating Jack?
Viewers have developed a “family tree” theory for Series 4 of The Traitors, suggesting that each contestant is connected to at least one other player outside the castle. This theory stems from the Family Tree painting in the castle lobby, which shows all players linked together across different branches.
While it’s been confirmed that Ellie and Ross are dating - something eagle-eyed fans spotted online before the show began - many are now speculating that Jessie and Jack might also be a couple, given their unusually close interactions.
The suspicion grew after Episode 4, which saw five contestants locked in cages as part of a challenge. During the task, Jack and Jessie held the bars of his cage together, and she whispered, “Love you!”, which is remarkably familiar for someone she’d only known for four days.
When Jessie successfully freed him, she leapt into Jack’s arms with a squeal of delight, leaving fans wondering if there’s more than just friendship between them.
Is Jessie related to James?
Some sharp-eyed viewers have been wondering if Jessie and James might be connected in some way. While a few fans speculated they could be dating, James has shared pictures of his partner on Instagram, which rules out a romantic link.
Instead, some think they could be family, like siblings or cousins, or perhaps just very close friends. The theory gained traction after Thursday’s episode, when James appeared to hint at a secret alliance, referring to “our game” during a private chat with Jessie.
During the conversation, James insisted he believed Jessie was a Faithful: “It’s not me, I promise—and I don’t mind you having doubts.” Jessie replied, “But if it isn’t us, how did they know about Adam?” Later, James added, “Our game rests on this moment, do you know what I mean?”
Fans noticed the repeated use of “us” and “our,” with one writing on social media: “James and Jessie keep talking about ‘us’ and ‘our.’ They clearly know each other.”
The idea of a secret connection first surfaced when Jessie leapt into James’ arms during a challenge and told him she was “so proud” of him, leaving viewers even more curious about their relationship.
Has Jessie been on TV before?
Yes, Jessie previously auditioned for The X Factor about ten years ago, according to a Reddit post showing a photo of her from the audition.
Her journey into music began after she experienced severe bullying. Speaking to The Daily Mail in 2017, she recalled: “When I was 12, a group of about 20 people surrounded me and mocked my voice. I tried to shout ‘help,’ but the words wouldn’t come out. It got so bad that I dreaded going to school because I couldn’t stand up for myself.”
Following the bullying, Jessie changed schools and later took a five-day course with the McGuire Programme, which has helped others, including Gareth Gates, with speech difficulties. As her confidence and speech improved, she decided to turn her challenging experience into something positive and pursued her X Factor audition.
She explained: “I wrote a song called ‘Control’ and auditioned for The X Factor in May 2016. It’s amazing to have a voice I can use - not just for work in the hair salon, but also to show others that they’re not alone and can overcome a stammer too.”
What would Jessie do with the prize money?
If Jessie wins The Traitors, she would help her mum.
"I’d love to pay off my mum’s house, just because my mum has brought me up and is my bestie, and I would just love to give back to her. If I have a bit left, I would put it into my business", she told the BBC.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. A devoted bookworm and TV fan, she’s always immersed in the latest shows or catching the newest films and theatre productions. When she’s not writing, Arabella enjoys cooking and exploring the outdoors with her three dogs.