After weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

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

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

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

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

"The majority didn't vote for 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'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

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

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.