After weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

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 in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

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

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination 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 a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted another user.

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

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered 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," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - 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 sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.