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

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

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

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

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

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

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

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

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.