Following weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

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

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

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

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

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

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

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

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.