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

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player 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 just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected 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.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.