Rachel Duffy made The Traitors history on Friday night when she became the first female to win the BBC show in a momentous double traitor win alongside Stephen Libby.
Throughout the show the mother-of-three shared how the prize money would allow her to make memories with her mother Anne, who was tragically diagnosed with Parkinson's when she was just 47 and more recently with dementia.
However on Tuesday, in a tragic turn of events just days after Friday's final, Rachel shared the devastating news that her mother has passed away.
And while filming for the show wrapped months ago, Rachel and Stephen are yet to receive their share of the £95,750 prize pot, meaning that tragically Rachel was robbed of treating Anne, 70, to the holiday she dreamt of.
Despite winning £47,000 each, contestants don't receive the prize money until after the show, and on Monday Stephen revealed the money was yet to hit his account.
Appearing on This Morning, host Cat Deeley asked the star how many times he had checked his banking app since the final.
Laughing, Stephen replied: 'It's not in there yet. But, yeah, I'm not checking because I just want to get a nice surprise when it finally comes in. But yeah, not yet.'
Rachel previously shared that she wished to use the prize money to pay for a family holiday with her mum and children in order to make memories while they still can, yet tragically her mother's health had deteriorated since her time on the show.
Taking to Instagram to announce her death on Tuesday she penned: 'We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beautiful wee mummy. We kindly ask for privacy as our family grieves during this difficult time.'
Speaking to The Mail On Sunday a day after the finale aired, Rachel explained that she hadn't spent her prize money yet and needed to make plans with her mother and her husband.
'I think I'm going to sit down with the kids, my husband and my mum and just think what could we do to have fun together,' she said.
Giving an update on her mother, Rachel said: 'It's a hard one because the show was recorded in May so at that time her condition wasn't as severe as it is now, so she's not fit to travel as much.
'We're trying to do something closer to home so I can't wait to just sit in front of her and say, "Mummy, what do you want to do, what can we do that you would just love?" God only knows what she's going to say, but I can't wait.'
Rachel was in London with her co-stars for the final episode and to film her Uncloaked interview just last week.
She added that she couldn't wait to give her mum a call and speak to her properly following her interviews on Saturday morning.
'I'm just waiting to call her now to have a proper chat with her, but she's so proud, and that means a lot to hear that your mum is proud of you,' she shared.
Speaking about the 'lovely' reaction to her comments about her mum's illness on the show, Rachel said: 'There was a lot of messages on social media about people and their own experiences, saying thank you so much for raising awareness.
'It was the loveliest feeling to know that your story resonated with so many and that so many other people, or carers for their family members.'
Last March, Rachel took to Instagram to share a birthday tribute to her mum after she turned 70 in a big bash with friends and family.
Sharing a collection of snaps she penned: 'There’s a whole lot of love in these photos.
'Feeling extremely blessed to have this lady in our lives. A very happy belated 70th birthday to Queen Mullen.'
Speaking during the show at a dinner party with the final eight contestants, Rachel shared her mother's story with the group.
Struggling to control her emotions she began: 'I would like to do something for my mummy who has been very ill for a long time.
'She was diagnosed with Parkinson's when she was only 47 and I have watched her my whole adult life just put her whole life on hold for other people.
'And she was diagnosed with dementia recently and all she wants to do is go on a holiday.'
Explaining what she would use the money for she added: 'And I think if I were to win the money it would be to take her and my kids on holiday and make memories while she still has her memories.
'I think life is so precious and I really really want it for my mum because she did everything for us and I think now it's her time for us to look after her.'
In a poignant photograph shared during the show, Anne was seen proudly holding up a T-shirt which read 'My daughter's a traitor' on the front.
Rachel also lost her beloved father, Raymond Mullen, in 2016 when he was 67. Her Facebook profile picture is a photograph of him walking her up the aisle on her wedding day.
The pair were exceptionally close and she was devastated when he died. Her older brother is Darren Mullen, who was the manager of football club Newry City, and she also has two other brothers, Neil and Shane, and a sister called Joanne.
Following Rachel's sad announcement, Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO of Dementia UK offered her condolences whilst thanking Rachel for raising awareness following her mother's death.
She told The Daily Mail: 'We're sorry to hear that Anne has died having lived with Parkinson's and dementia.'
'Everyone at Dementia UK sends our condolences to Anne's family and hope they are receiving the support they need at this difficult time.'
'Through her appearance on The Traitors, Anne's daughter Rachel spoke candidly about her experience of dementia, helping to raise awareness for condition and the way it affects families across the UK.'
'We thank Rachel for her honesty - we know it is not easy to speak publicly about the impact dementia can have, but in doing so she will have encouraged others to reach out for the support they need.'
'We urge families affected by dementia to reach out to our specialist Helpline. Staffed by dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, our Helpline offers support and guidance on all stages of dementia, including grieving for a loved one. Anyone affected by dementia can contact the Helpline by calling 0800 888 6678 or emailing [email protected].'
It cannot be denied that Rachel gave her everything to the show after she revealed to her fellow contestants she had even undergone FBI training prior to taking part.
She said the four months of FBI online training she had endured enabled her to spot a liar at a hundred paces.
The ex agent tutored her in how to spot micro-expressions, read blink patterns, and monitor breathing and swallowing.
She also practised keeping a straight face while lying to her lawyer husband, Seamus, and said she became so good even he couldn't now tell if she was telling fibs.
'My husband can't even tell if I'm telling the truth any more, not that I lie to him all that often, but I could wind him up and say something off the cuff, and he's like, "I don't even know if that's true!" she said.
From Newry in Northern Ireland, Rachel works as a Head of Communications in County Down.
An associate of hers told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Rachel is the life and soul of any party. She gets on with everyone and just loves having a good time.'
Yet her career could be begin to take off, after industry insiders told the Daily Mail that likeable Rachel's income is now set to rocket, as they tip her to become a millionaire – and the richest Traitor yet.
During the series, Rachel amassed an impressive 89,800 Instagram followers and a further 54,100 followers on TikTok.
On Friday, a celebrity agent told the Daily Mail: 'Rachel is a superstar, she's brilliant and she has been the standout contestant from start to finish.
'She has won millions and millions of fans and showbiz agents know they can make her a fortune. Already they are thinking about what other reality television programmes they can get her on. She has all of the ingredients for stardom.
'In a few days she will be inundated with people wanting to represent her. She has been a household name for the last three weeks and she will continue to be so.'
Jonathan Shalit, founder of InterTalent, which looks after former Traitors winner Harry Clark, has said Rachel is the 'perfect commercial package' and brands will be lining up to work with her.
He told the Daily Mail: 'The Traitors isn't just a TV show any more. It's a star factory.
'Rachel is the perfect commercial package; intelligent, beautiful, calm, modern, witty, and sharp, but also warm and relatable. Brands don't just want popularity. They want noise.
'Right now, people are talking about Rachel. TV shows, podcasts, streamers, advertisers, and brands will all be lining up for her. Her age is also a huge advantage commercially because it aligns with real household spending power. She is absolutely on track to earn well into seven figures over the next year.'
Jonathan added: 'Traitors is now a worldwide franchise. Just look at Celebrity Traitors US with billboards across America, showing that Traitors can make UK stars like Maura Higgins, global stars.'
