After weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting 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."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted another user.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - which was 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.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.