Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

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

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant 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 ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward 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 famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.