Following multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

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

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £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 in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

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

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

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

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

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver 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 unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

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

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.