Following weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

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

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

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

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

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

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

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" 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 over an hour on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. 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, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

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 the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

The challenge saw them destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.

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

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

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