After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This article discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented 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 all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

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

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

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

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

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

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

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

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

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene 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 the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.