After weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

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

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

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

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

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

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

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" questioned 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 be successful a second time!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another 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 fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, 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 received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.