Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting 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 most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

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

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

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

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

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

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

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

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

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.