After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls 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 surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire 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 want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

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

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant 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.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me 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 their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.