Following weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, 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, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

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

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had 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 the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented 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 in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

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

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

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

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.