Following weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing 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."

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

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, 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 his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" 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 lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like 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."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.