Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote 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 total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, 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 truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," 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," the winner said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.