Following weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking result that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to 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 series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

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 this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

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

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.