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

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, 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."

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

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, 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.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire 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 does one eliminate a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

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

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

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

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

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, 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 last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

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

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

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

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.