After weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

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

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome 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 was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

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

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion 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, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up images of eliminated players. 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, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

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

"There's 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 seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.