After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought 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 someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.