Following weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third 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 giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented 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, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running 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.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.