Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: 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 surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, 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.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, 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 unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers 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," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to focus 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 fire pit. And the alliance broke down, 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 turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.