After weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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 declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began 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 thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

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

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain 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 viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.