After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

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

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third 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 eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided 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 under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

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

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.