Following multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

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

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

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "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 did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

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

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

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.