Celebrity Traitors Finale: Alan Carr Triumphs! Stream Now on BBC iPlayer

Reflecting on the competition, it was clear from the start that Alan Carr was the frontrunner to win The Celebrity Traitors. Despite Jonathan Ross bringing his extensive entertainment industry charm and Joe Marler displaying the tenacity of a hungry canine, Alan Carr shone throughout the series as the undeniable champion.

This became particularly apparent in the heart-pounding final episode on Thursday, where Carr’s audacious maneuver felt akin to a masterful piece of theatre. Throughout the eight episodes leading up to the finale, he skillfully eliminated other contestants, either covertly or by directly confronting them, ultimately persuading those he betrayed to console him. This demonstrated a level of mastery only seen in true competitors.

Carr’s dominance was undeniable. Within the castle’s confines, he managed to remain virtually undetected, a remarkable feat considering his initial panic-stricken performance as a traitor. Among the three chosen in the first episode, he appeared to be the weakest.

Jonathan Ross, with his decades of television experience and unflappable demeanor, seemed to anticipate the moves of his pursuers, making him a formidable opponent. Cat Burns, however, was a wildcard with her quiet demeanor and confessed difficulty in group dynamics, making her naturally inconspicuous.

On the contrary, once Alan Carr was identified as a traitor, his nervousness was palpable. His early demeanor suggested he might quickly self-destruct, much like Linda from a previous civilian series of Traitors, who couldn’t keep a secret to save her life.

However, The Celebrity Traitors cleverly escalated the tension early on by having the traitors openly eliminate a loyal contestant. While the others hesitated, Carr boldly accepted the challenge, removing an imaginary hair from Paloma Faith’s face, effectively sealing her fate. His willingness to commit to the role of a traitor so early on, especially against a close friend, only emboldened him further, quickly establishing him as the leader among the traitors.

In broad daylight, Carr’s actions might seem horrifying. His story echoes that of a man who, upon receiving a slight taste of power, indulged in a spree of ruthless eliminations, reminiscent of a theatrical version of the Stanford Prison Experiment. Yet, Carr’s success as a traitor was also heavily cushioned by his immense charm.

This year, the theory among the loyal contestants was the Big Dog Theory, which posited that high-profile bookings such as Jonathan Ross and Stephen Fry were likely traitors. This theory led to mixed results, correctly outing Ross but misjudging Fry, while Carr, who projected a less intimidating presence, cleverly evaded suspicion altogether. He played the underdog brilliantly, which ultimately led to his victory.

However, it’s important to note that Carr’s victory wasn’t solely due to his prowess as a traitor. The loyal contestants this season were notably subpar, taking seven episodes to unmask just one traitor out of three. Their ineffectiveness was so pronounced that random selection might have served them better.

In the end, tales of the loyal contestants’ incompetence will likely persist, exemplified by figures like Kate Garraway and David Olusoga, who lost all semblance of authority by chasing the most illogical leads. They consistently failed to identify Carr, even as he struggled to pronounce his allegiance without bursting into laughter.

Alan Carr’s win in The Celebrity Traitors was inevitable, but his victory was marked by such genuine delight and charisma that it was truly memorable. It sets a high bar for future seasons.

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