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

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

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

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

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

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

This task saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments 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 surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.