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

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned 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 other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

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

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

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

However, one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.