After weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion 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 attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene 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, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.