Following weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

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

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

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

The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

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

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant 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 lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.