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

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

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

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote 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 final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

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

The final 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.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted 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.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

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

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, 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 that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.