Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, 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 other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot 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 season.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people 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 time on the show.

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

However, 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 he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

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