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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

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

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes 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 the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

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

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

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

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

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

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

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

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.