After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching 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 season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

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

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, 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 won't throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership 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 ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.