After multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt 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 all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

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 gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

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

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "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 a commentator.

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

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, 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 final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.