After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

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

The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes 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 to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

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

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

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," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance 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 turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: 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 made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend 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 trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.