Following weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot 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 in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

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

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated 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 a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

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

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against 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 focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other 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 - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend 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 recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.