After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

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

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, 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 this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

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

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

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

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, 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 traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, 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," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.