Following multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "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 a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

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

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

"He might have appeared to the morning meal 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 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 be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

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

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying images 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, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like 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, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

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

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

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.