After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

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

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result 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'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

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

"Alan could have appeared 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.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

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

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

This task saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate 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 was able to enjoy his victory.

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally 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 characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.