Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

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

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

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

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

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

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally 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 last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.