The Traitors fans baffled after contestant says he’s being compared to Harold Shipman

'We’re only three days into 2025 and we’ve already got the TV moment of the year'

The hit reality TV series returned to screens on New Year's Day and the third episode was aired on the BBC last night.

But by the time the episode came to an end, 'Harold Shipman' was trending on social media following an intense roundtable showdown between three contestants.

It all kicked off when Kasim was accused of being a traitor because he is a doctor and "nice."

The accusations came from faithfuls Joe and Jake, and prompted Kasim to claim the pair of them were comparing him to Harold Shipman.

Kasim said: "The fact that I have a job is not a reason to vote for me."

When Joe and Jake claimed this wasn't what they meant, Kasim hit back: "Literally you just said, 'The doctor thing makes sense. You save lives during the day, you kill people at night.'

"You're basically calling me Harold Shipman."

Shipman was one of the most prolific serial killers in modern history. Over more than two decades, the GP killed an estimated 250 of his patients by administering fatal drug dosages. He was sentenced to a whole life term in prison in 2000 on 15 counts of murder, before his suicide four years later.

Reacting on X to the bizarre mentioning of the serial killer, one viewer said: "We’re only three days into 2025 and we’ve already got the TV moment of the year. Absolute box office."

Another said: "Didn’t have a Harold Shipman mention on The Traitors on my 2025 bingo card."

A third posted: "'You're basically calling me Harold Shipman' REAL TELEVISION IS BACK"

"This is the sauce I watch The Traitors for," someone else wrote.

The Traitors continues on Wednesday from 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.