After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: 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.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

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

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

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

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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 betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

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

Happily, the champion 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," the winner said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.