After multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

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

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, 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 season.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players 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. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought 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 roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.