Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players 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 the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to 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 series.

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

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

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

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

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted 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.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: 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 did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.