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

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

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

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media immediately exploded 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 described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

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

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

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

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

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

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other just giggled.

And 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 appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

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

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.