Following weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

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

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

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

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought 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?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful 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, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

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

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

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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 third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - 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 sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.