After multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

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

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

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping 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 appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally 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 characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.