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

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

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

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination 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 a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

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

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also 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 trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.