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

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

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 the other just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing 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 viewers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

He also made light of 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 recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.