Following weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

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

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

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

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

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

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

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

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

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

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, 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.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.