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

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral 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 a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution 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 entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

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

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

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

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

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.