After weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

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

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained 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 can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting 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 a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers 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," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"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 one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.