Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome 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 one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one 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. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

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 traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

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

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.