After weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

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

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

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

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most 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."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

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

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

He also joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.