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

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

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

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

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

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would work a second time!"

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

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

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

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.