After weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, 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 a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

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

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was 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.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, 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 host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.