After multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

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

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit 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 truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target 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 show.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

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

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

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

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

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

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted another user.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.