After weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing 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 quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit 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 ever really suspected him.

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

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it 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.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

The challenge saw them destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.