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

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, 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.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination 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'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. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally 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 the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.