Following multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

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

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

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

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.