Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, 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 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 consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.