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

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

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

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

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

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying 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, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the winner 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 emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.