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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated 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 television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew 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.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated 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 received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

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

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand 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 making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.