Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.