After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted 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," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

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

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing 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 equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

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

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

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

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.