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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

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

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

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have come down 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 target him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian 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 under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

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

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained 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 last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.