After multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, 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 thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained 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. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

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

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 some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," 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. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

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

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," the winner said.

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

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.