After weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that went viral and left him emotional.

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

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

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

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

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

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

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up 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 substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

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

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

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.