After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

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

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

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: 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 final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.