Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

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

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," 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.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount 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.

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

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

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over 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 sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.