After weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

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

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Online platforms 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," stated another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

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

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful again!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show 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.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, 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 a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally 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 recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.