After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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 a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, 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 left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"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."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could 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 eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew 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 each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner 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."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

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

The final four gathered around the fire pit. 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 partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

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

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.