Following weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached 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 a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, 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 shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with 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 over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

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

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.