Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

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

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

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

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

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

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

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.