After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

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

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight 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 series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like 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, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

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

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment 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 commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.