After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

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

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

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

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

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

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

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

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

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

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

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

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

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.