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

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast 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 vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it 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.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged 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 out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter 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 unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.