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

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

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

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

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

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," 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 concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.