After weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining 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 the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"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.

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

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

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.