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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak 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 can you vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player 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," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude 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 deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.