After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

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

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that went viral 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 a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final 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 in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

This task saw them destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

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

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.