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

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

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

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

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

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.