Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, 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 series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

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

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"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 eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented 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 made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged 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 outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

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

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact 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.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. 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 that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.