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

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

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

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained 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 deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person 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 extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' 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 an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to 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 he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

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

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.