After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

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

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

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

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to 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 shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted 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," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, 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.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

He also joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.