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

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, 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 other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

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

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout 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 maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players 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 ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

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

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.