After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

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

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared 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 does one vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon 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.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay 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 last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

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

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.