After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

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

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain 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 onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted another user.

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

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

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

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

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

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.