Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

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

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, 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.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

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

This task saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing 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 viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - 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 recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.