Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing 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."

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated 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 lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

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 provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

He also joked about 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 trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.