After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

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

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "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 did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.