Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," 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. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, 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 season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance 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 ever really suspected him.

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

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

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

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. 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 atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, 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 stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.