Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

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

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else described it as "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 giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

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

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

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

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

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

As ever, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

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

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

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

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend 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 trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.