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

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, 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 did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might 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.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

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

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.