Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet 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 played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak 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 does one vote for a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

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

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

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

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

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 the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.