Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

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

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

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

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "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. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

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

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

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - 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. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "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 his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.