Following weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

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

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

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted 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 more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

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

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

However, 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 last deceiver 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."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted another user.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - 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 famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.