After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

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 another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

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

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner 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 a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got 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 one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.