After weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

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

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one 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," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got 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 - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

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

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

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

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

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

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

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.