Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching 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 surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass 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 truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit 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 player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.