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

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "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 called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

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