Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "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 most effective player," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, 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 eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

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

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared 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 out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter 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 famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.