After weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

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

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host 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 famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.