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

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "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 most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person so loveable?" questioned 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 work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

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

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.