After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet 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 feel terrible about this."

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

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

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot 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 season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing 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 train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor 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, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. 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 turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter 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 famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.