Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing 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. "It's all right."

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

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner 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 feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

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

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.