Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"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," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast 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 can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just 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 turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

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

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - 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 recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.