After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

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

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

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared 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 another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

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

And one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - 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 a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.