After weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

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 fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.