Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by industry observers.

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

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" questioned 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 work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like 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 onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted another user.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.