Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

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

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

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