Following multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

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

The challenge involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"You've got 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 a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.