After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

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

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes 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 began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, 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 in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged 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 another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

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

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

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