Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep 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 among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

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

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling 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.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

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

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.