Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque 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.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, 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 made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend 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 trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.