Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, 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 immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant 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.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

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 moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," 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, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - 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 recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.