After weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

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

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated 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 cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared 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 someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them ripping up images 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.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted another user.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.