After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

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

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

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

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, 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 some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us 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 murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely 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 ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.