Following multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

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

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

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

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

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

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared 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 a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. 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 betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.