After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever 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, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

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

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

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

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination 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'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, 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 final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.