After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

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

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation 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 entertainment reporters.

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

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

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

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"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 an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

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.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived 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 their partner simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver 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 unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

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

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.