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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

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

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. 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. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

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

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.