Following weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor 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 field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls 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 the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable 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 come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

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

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

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

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

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted 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 final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.