After multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

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

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution 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 thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

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

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

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers 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 simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "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," said an observer.

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

However, there remained no time to dwell 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. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," 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, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.