After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

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

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

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

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.