Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing 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."

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining composure 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 wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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 boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," 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. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

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

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

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

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.