After multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

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

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

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

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

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 final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

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

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.