Following multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

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

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

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

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

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

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

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

The challenge involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

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

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, 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 host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.