After multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, 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 immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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, of all people, executing an expert performance 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 why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared 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 vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited 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 as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid 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 progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared 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, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

He also joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.