After multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, 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. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. 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 the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.