Following weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

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

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. 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?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated 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 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 soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated 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 out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity 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. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, 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 final participant, who made the identical choice - 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 in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got 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.