Following weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive 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.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.