After weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

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

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

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

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

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

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

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

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

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he 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 touching her cheek.

"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 seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.