After multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

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

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. 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 another celebrity.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed 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 patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted another user.

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally 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 everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over 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 celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.