After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

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

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one 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 deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear 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 experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout 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 patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.