After weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted 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 someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

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

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - 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 last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.