Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

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

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

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, 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 £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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 betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

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

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, 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."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

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