After multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

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

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected 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," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

This task saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said one, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

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

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure 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 a winner," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter 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 famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.