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

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited 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 this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

He also joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.