Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £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 surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

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

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 vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

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

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another 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 new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was 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 in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed 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 their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

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

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

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter 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, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.