After weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

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

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

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

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought 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," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

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

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even 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.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.