After weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

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

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

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

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.