Following weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

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

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

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

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

This task saw them destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

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

And 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 last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.