After multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

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

This task saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

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 betray him," said a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

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

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.