Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

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

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third 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 amounting to £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted 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 vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on 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 every celebrity 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.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

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

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.