After weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

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

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "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.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

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

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

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

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

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

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed 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 eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.