Following weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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 outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

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

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.