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

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £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 in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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 a second time!"

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

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

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

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 - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.