Following weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

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

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

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

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

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

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining 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 appeared 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 target him because how can you vote for a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided 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 murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

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

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.