Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

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

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

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

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

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for 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 show.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

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

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

This task involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player 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 little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host 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 feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.