Following weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

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

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing 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 immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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 industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

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

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

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress 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 did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.