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

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: 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, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I want 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 a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling 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. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

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

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination 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."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

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

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.