Traitors winner Rachel Duffy 'heartbroken' following mum's death

Rachel Duffy had said she would spend her prize money on treating her mum

The winner of the latest series of The Traitors has shared the news of the passing of her mother.

Writing on Instagram, Rachel Duffy said she was "heartbroken" at the death of her "beautiful wee mummy".

On Friday, she became the first female Traitor to win the BBC show.

Throughout the series, Duffy spoke about her mum's battle with Parkinson's Disease and also dementia.

During the show, Duffy from Newry in Northern Ireland, had said she wanted to take her mum on holiday to create memories.

Speaking to BBC News NI following her win, she said she was looking forward to treating her family, and her mum in particular.

"I rang my mummy this morning… I can't wait to come home and give her a big hug and say what will we do?"

"Anything you want let's go do it. As long as I get to spoil my family that's all I care about," she added.

"She [Rachel's mum] didn't get all the twists and the turns but she's enjoyed watching it. She's very proud."

Wanted to win 'for mummy'

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

Rachel opened up about her mum during her time on the show, and in the final episode, she became emotional as she talked about how she wanted to spend the prize money making memories with her family.

"When you know her [Rachel's mum] memories are going and you have an opportunity to help her create the nicest ones ever, that is very precious," she said.

Speaking after the final, Rachel's sister Joanne said how she wished to spend her winnings showed her sister's 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."

In a statement on social media, Rachel asked for privacy as her family "grieves during this difficult time".

'Not easy to speak publicly'

The chief executive of Dementia UK Hilda Hayo has offered condolences to the family and praised Rachel for "candidly sharing her experience of dementia, and helping to raise awareness of the condition".

"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," she said in a statement.