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

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

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

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful again!"

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

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other just giggled.

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

The last deceiver appeared 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 a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.