After weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

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

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

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

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment 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.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

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

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

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

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.