After weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

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

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.