After weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," 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 quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one 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 deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

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

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

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

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.