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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing 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."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast 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 does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

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

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

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

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

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. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.