Following multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak 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 "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided 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 under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

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 patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

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

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.