Following weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have appeared to breakfast 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 does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work a second time!"

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

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.