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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted 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 more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

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

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

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would work a second time!"

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. 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 England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

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

The challenge involved ripping up images of eliminated players. 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 roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.