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

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

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

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, 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 unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player 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 appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, 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 collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure 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 a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.