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

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled 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 more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

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

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," 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. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just 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.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.