Following multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral 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 feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

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

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players 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 lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other 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 a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, 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 in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments 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 feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.