Following weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

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

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

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

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

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

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

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. 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 "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

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

He also joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.