Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: 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 broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, 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'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

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

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership 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 at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

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

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he 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 making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.