After weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for 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 participate once more... I don't think 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 atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling 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 maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. 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 that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments 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, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.