After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

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

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

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

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

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

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

"The majority 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 experience with the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was 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 unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered 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 last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

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

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.