After multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire 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 can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented 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 in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

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

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging 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 did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.