Following multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor 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, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.