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

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms 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 called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast 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 does one eliminate a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

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

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

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

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

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

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.