After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

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

The final episode was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed 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 burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

The challenge saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, 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.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing 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 similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at 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 stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.